What increases my risk for rheumatoid arthritis?

Even though people of any age can develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your risk is highest between ages 40 and 60. And while your genes may make it more likely for you to develop RA (meaning RA may run in your family), scientists believe that genes may interact with other factors to cause RA. Women have a greater chance of developing the condition than men do; about 75 percent of people with RA are women. During pregnancy, RA symptoms may lessen but may flare up again after your pregnancy. And hormones may play a role in the condition. It is also possible that a viral or bacterial infection may trigger RA. If you smoke, here's one more reason to quit: Smoking raises your RA risk, while quitting lowers it.

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but there are some factors that increase your risk. If your parents have rheumatoid arthritis, it is not certain that you will get it, but you are more prone to it. Women tend to get it more often than men do. The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is generally between the ages of 35 and 50 years old. One risk factor you can control is smoking. Quitting smoking will lower your risk.