Genetics in rheumatoid arthritis

This chapter reviews the latest original research on the genetics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a focus on its relevance for the clinical rheumatologist. The following questions will be dealt with in order to appreciate the recent progress in this field. •Why is a knowledge of genetics useful for an understanding of the pathogenesis of RA? •Is a knowledge of genetic risk factors relevant for day-to-day clinical practice? •What methods are used for identifying genetic risk factors? •Which genetic regions have been identified in susceptibility to RA? •What risk factors have been identified? •What are the future prospects and research agenda?