Study of some risk factors for developing rheumatoid arthritis

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate some of risk factors for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patient and methods A total of 60 patients with RA who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 2010 classification criteria were included, and 20 healthy participants served as a control group. Patients answered questions about age, smoking, full reproductive history, and therapeutic history. Venous blood sampling was taken, and the following investigations were done: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‑reactive protein, liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), rheumatoid factor, anticyclic citrullinated peptide, serum calcium and phosphorus, and serum vitamin D level. Results The mean age of patients with RA was 52.30 ± 14.71 years. Overall, 5% of patients were current smokers, 61.7% were passive smokers, and 8% were exsmokers. BMI of patients was 30.31 ± 4.73 kg/m2. Age at menarche was insignificantly earlier in patients than control group (10.10 ± 0.99 vs. 11. 17 ± 1.17 years; P = 0.28). There was severe vitamin D deficiency ( 10 ng/ml) in 45% of the patients, insufficient (10–24 ng/ml) in 46.7%, and optimal (25–100 ng/ml) in 8.5%. There was a significant inverse correlation between serum vitamin D levels and RA disease activity score. Conclusion RA is more common in women. Obesity, smoking, and reproductive state in women are risk factors for developing RA. Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with RA, and as the vitamin D level decreases, the disease activity increases.