Genetics of Rheumatoid Arthritis | Arthritis Information
A long, involved but interesting article about genetics and RA.........
Bumping for the newbies [quote]Given the role of HLA-DR in the maturation, selection, and activation of T cells, the association between the SE and RA, and
in particular between DRB1*04 SE double dose and disease severity in RA, has been interpreted as reflecting the importance of T cells in RA. Patients with RA and extra-articular organ involvement have extensive T-cell abnormalities[/quote]
Genetics just keeps comin' round again. I have asked before, but still wonder how many have had genetic testing done in r/t their RA diagnosis or treatment?
This is where I got the triple whammy;
In addition to traditional genetic factors, several environmental factors have been implicated as predictors of RA.5 The 2- to 3-fold higher prevalence of the disease in women, primarily due to an increased female incidence before menopause,6 has been interpreted as indicating a role for hormonal or reproductive factors; about 70% of patients with RA are women.
Smoking is a well-established risk factor for the development of RA7,8 and also seems to be a predictor of disease severity.9-11 Interestingly, a recent study found smoking to be a predictor primarily in the subset of patients with RA-associated HLA-DRB1 genotypes, indicating that genetic and environmental factors could interact in predisposing to RA.12
Shug, I remember on my second appointment my RD telling me something about being positive on HLA 57(?) or maybe 34(?) I don't remember the number and I do not have those records.
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