Epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis
In Europe and North America, rheumatoid arthritis affects 0.5–1% of the population in total. However, it is much more common in Native Americans (affecting over 5%) and less common in African and Asian people. This suggests that there are genetic factors involved in the development of the disease.
Gender
Women are two-to-three times more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis. The exact cause for this is not known, but it may be related to the hormone, oestrogen
Age
Rheumatoid arthritis can develop at any age but it is more common in older people. It is most likely to be diagnosed in people between 40 and 60 years of age.
Family history
Although rheumatoid arthritis is not a hereditary disease, certain genes can make a person more susceptible to it. This means that people with close relatives who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis have a higher than usual risk of developing it themselves because they may have inherited the same genes. However, they are still more likely not to get the disease than to get it.
Smoking
People who smoke have a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis than those who do not.
Epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritisPicture of people of different races
In Europe and North America, rheumatoid arthritis affects 0.5–1% of the population in total. However, it is much more common in Native Americans (affecting over 5%) and less common in African and Asian people. This suggests that there are genetic factors involved in the development of the disease.
