Health encyclopaedia

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Causes of Rheumatoid arthritis

Normally your immune system makes antibodies to attack bacteria and viruses. In RA your immune system also makes antibodies that attack the linings of your joints making them inflamed, swollen, stiff and painful. Over time, the inflammation can cause damage to the joint, the cartilage, and the bone near to the joint.

There is a tendency for RA to run in families, pointing to a major genetic contribution to the cause of RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis is twice as common in women than in men. This is probably due to the effects of oestrogen (a female hormone).

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