Stockholm, Exposing the dangers of smoking for health seems never ending. The results of the study revealed that 1 in 3 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) become severe as a result of smoking for years.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint inflammation characterized by pain and swelling in the joints. Conditions related to the immune system attack women more than men and often occur at the age of 20-50 years.
Genetically, some people have risk factors for developing RA to very severe conditions. This factor is the formation of a type of antibody called anticitrullinated protein / peptide antibody (ACPA) in people who have certain genes.
A study by experts from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm revealed that the formation of ACPA can increase if a person has the habit of smoking. The risk increase reached 35 percent compared to those who both have these risk factors but do not smoke.
This means that 35 percent or approximately 1 in 3 cases of RA become severe which is triggered by ACPA due to smoking. In the study, participants had an average of 20 cigarettes a day for more than 20 years.
“” There is not much we can do to prevent RA that is triggered by genetics, but other factors we can change. Quitting smoking is one of them, “” said Jane Tadman of Arthritis Research in the UK.
The results of the study also say that the increased risk will disappear once a person stops smoking. It doesn’t take years, the effect can be felt not long after successfully avoiding cigarette smoke.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2010)