Prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid factor in women: evidence for secular decline

Article Abstract:

The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rheumatoid factors may be declining in middle-aged women. Rheumatoid factor is an antibody found in the blood of patients suffering from classical or definite RA. A study examined the prevalence of RA and rheumatoid factor among women between 45 and 64 years old who were patients of a large general practitioner group in London. Among 1,003 women who were examined, 12 were diagnosed with RA. This translates to a prevalence of 1.2%, compared to a prevalence of 2.5% found in a survey done between 1958 and 1960. Half of one percent of the women were positive for rheumatoid factor, compared to six percent of women surveyed in 1958. Fifty-eight percent of the women had destructive erosion in affected joints, compared to 68% of the women surveyed in 1958. This indicates that RA is becoming less severe and is declining in incidence.

Women, Demographic aspects, Diseases, Rheumatoid arthritis, Rheumatoid factor

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Genetics of osteoarthritis

Article Abstract:

Genetic inheritance likely plays a role in the development of osteoarthritis. Two types of genes could affect the development of arthritis: genes responsible for collagen production, a major component of cartilage, and genes responsible for bone metabolism because high bone mineralization is associated with higher incidence of osteoarthritis. Several specific genes have been linked to the occurrence of familial osteoarthritis, but while studies show that genetic predisposition may play a role in as much as 60% of common osteoarthritis, no specific genes have been identified as factors.

Genetic aspects

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Relation between Heberden's nodes and distal interphalangeal joint osteophytes and their role as markers of generalised disease

Article Abstract:

Bony swellings in finger joints may not always indicate osteoarthritis of the hand, and may be only weakly predictive of osteoarthritis in other joints. Researchers made clinical and radiographic examinations of joints in 660 middle-aged women, and found that Heberden's nodes were only associated with osteophytes in the same finger in 36% of the women. X-rays of the hand revealing abnormal bony osteoarthritic changes were better predictors of osteoarthritis in the knee or other joint than the presence of Heberden's nodes, or bony swellings, in the fingers.

Diagnosis, Hand

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