Rheumatoid arthritis

• Fact: Women have two to three times the risk of developing the painful disorder as men.
• Proportion of risk that’s in your genes: 53 percent.
• What you can do: Because rheumatoid arthritis is tricky to diagnose, knowing your genetic risk can give your doctor a clue to investigate, even if your symptoms are vague or unusual.Our genetic testing service can help you determine whether you are at above-average risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Did you know? The only proven strategy for preventing rheumatoid arthritis is to stop smoking – or never start.

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an inflammatory form of arthritis that causes joint pain and damage. The disease attacks the lining of the joints, causing swelling that can result in aching and throbbing and eventually deformity. Performing simple activities like opening a jar or taking a walk can be difficult.

About 3.3 million Americans have the health condition, and most are diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect older adults.

Doctors don’t know what causes RA. It is likely that the disease occurs as a result of a complex combination of factors, including your genes, your environment and your lifestyle choices. Slightly more than half of the risk is genetic.

Knowing from a genetic test whether you have an inherited susceptibility to the condition can enable you and your doctor to be alert for symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and work together to minimize the disease's effects. Early treatment may prevent rheumatoid arthritis from progressing.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are disease-modifying medications that can slow down its progression. Proper disease management and changes in lifestyle can control rheumatoid arthritis, enabling you to lead a productive life.