Rheumatoid Arthritis Rising Among Women
Posted October 27, 2008 12:34 PM
After four decades on the decline, rheumatoid arthritis is on the upswing among women in the United States. That's the finding presented by Mayo Clinic investigators at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals in San Francisco.
"This is a significant finding and an indicator that more research needs to be done to better understand the causes and treatment of this devastating disease," says Sherine Gabriel, M.D., Mayo Clinic rheumatologist and lead investigator on the study.
From 1955 to 1994, the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis had continually been on the decline. That apparently changed beginning in the mid-1990s. When Mayo researchers analyzed patient data from early 1995 to the start of 2005, they found that both the incidence and prevalence (percentage) of the condition were rising.
Compared to the previous decade when approximately 36 women out of every 100,000 developed rheumatoid arthritis each year, the new study showed a jump to 54 women in the more recent decade. The incidence for men remained at about 29 per 100,000. Overall, the percentage of the entire population with the condition rose from 0.85 percent to 0.95 percent.
Researchers say it's not clear why this is happening, but an environmental factor may have a role in the shifting incidence and prevalence among women.
The study included 350 adult patients from Olmsted County, MN, whose average age was 56.5 years. The majority, 69 percent, were women.
The research was supported by Mayo Clinic and National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Others on the research team were Cynthia Crowson; Hilal Maradit-Kremers, M.D.; and Terry Therneau, Ph.D.
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To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to http://www.mayoclinic.org/news/.
MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your health stories. For more on Mayo Clinic research, go to www.mayo.edu.
Source: , Mayo Clinic
Comments
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Posted November 13, 2008 8:20 PM
this is a really good observation about the medications also being a catalyst for RA. There are so many new different treatments coming out for RA - it is a bit scary that everyday there is a new cure. If it keeps going like this, no one will even know of RA because the cure will be available in all these medicines that no one can afford
Posted October 28, 2008 3:31 PM
I was diagnosed with RA, approximately 18 months ago; it is extremely debilitating. I no longer can afford the lab tests nor doctor visits for the oral medication that was helping me. I wish I could contribute my thoughts upon how RA was disposed in me. I had been tested throughout the years for RA, with NO activity. I was placed upon ALL the cholesterol fighting medications: Lipitor, Crestor, Mevacor, Zetia - et al! My Level was 151; but, my doctor wanted it lower! I was on each medication+, for less than two weeks, when severe joint and body aches would attack my system; along with nausea. When I informed the physician tthat I would NOT take any medication to further lower my Levels, he was less than happy.
I developed RA, within two months of halting Cholesterol Medication(s). Blood work results showed I had RA. Less than three months prior, NO RA.
I believe research would benefit the onset of RA and find these medications trigger predisposition. Just my humble opinion; but, worth looking into a "cause". Remember, those listed medications were NOT available 1954-1994, when RA was NOT as prevalent as now. Thank you, for your time. Tamara Day
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