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Environmental factors and hormones in the development of rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

The etiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is partially understood. Genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors and their interactions are considered to play an important role on disease development. The relative contribution of environmental factors to RA development is probably larger than previously thought. The aim of this review is to appraise robust evidence about the role of environmental and hormonal risk factors for RA. We will discuss inhaled pollutants, nutritional habits, infectious, hormonal, and reproductive factors. As some of these factors are potentially modifiable, understanding their impact on RA development opens new opportunities for potential interventions and disease prevention.

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  1. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine Specialties, University Hospitals of Geneva, 26, Ave Beau-Sejour, 1211, Geneva 14, CH, Switzerland

    Deshiré Alpízar-Rodríguez & Axel Finckh

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  1. Deshiré Alpízar-Rodríguez
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  2. Axel Finckh
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Correspondence to Axel Finckh.

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This article is a contribution to the special issue on Immunopathology of Rheumatoid Arthritis - Guest Editors: Cem Gabay and Paul Hasler

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Alpízar-Rodríguez, D., Finckh, A. Environmental factors and hormones in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Semin Immunopathol 39, 461–468 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-017-0624-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-017-0624-2

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