Impact of smoking as a risk factor
for developing rheumatoid arthritis
Taken from NRAS magazine, Spring 2009
Japanese researchers have analysed 17 studies that examined the association between smoking history and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the research was to assess whether smoking is a risk factor for developing RA, especially for RA patients who are rheumatoid factor-positive (RF+).
The research showed that smoking is a risk factor for RA and this is particularly so for people who are rheumatoid factor-positive (RF+).