Arthritis

Personalized tests to detect metabolites (small molecules) and gene variants associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets the synovium, the membrane lining of the joints (for more information ( www.fgacenter.gr/ta-antioxidotika-kai-oi-phytochemikis/ ).

Factors that may increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis include:

1. Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Age: Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, but usually begins in middle age.
3. Family history : If a member of your family has rheumatoid arthritis, you may have an increased risk of developing the disease.
4. Smoking: Smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, especially if you have a genetic predisposition to developing the disease. Smoking also appears to be associated with greater disease severity.
5. Being overweight: People who are overweight seem to be at a somewhat higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

The Invisible Enemies of Health: What are the factors associated with the onset of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a multifactorial disease caused by the interaction between factors such as:

1. Genes: We don’t know what starts this process, although a genetic component seems likely. While our genes don’t actually cause rheumatoid arthritis, they can make us more likely to react to environmental factors – such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria – that can trigger the disease. For more information, visit our epigenome page .
2. Increased production of oxidative oxygen radicals (ROS) and dysfunction of antioxidant systems: Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis. Altered antioxidant system and higher levels of serum and synovial fluid lipid peroxidation have been reported in rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Unhealthy Lifestyle: Stress can worsen autoimmune inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis. Poor dietary habits, and the Western-style diet, characterized by a high intake of red meat, saturated and trans fats, a low ratio of omega-3/omega-6 fatty acids and a high consumption of refined carbohydrates, has been associated with an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis mainly through increasing inflammation and inducing insulin resistance and obesity.
4. Environment and Xenobiotics (chemicals): Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex disease in which environmental factors are thought to interact with genetic factors leading to the activation of autoimmunity. Smoking is the strongest factor associated with the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, with a clear gene-environment interaction. Among other inhaled substances, silicon dioxide may increase the chances of rheumatoid arthritis in men. There is less evidence for pesticides, pollution and other occupational inhalants. Results of studies show the possibility of weather effects on the pain of patients with rheumatoid arthritis depending on the seasons, especially the effect of extreme temperatures.

3. The intestinal microbial flora: Changes in the composition of the intestinal bacteria in people with preclinical and established rheumatoid arthritis indicate the vital role of the gut microflora in the immune dysfunction characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis (for more information ( fgacenter.gr/o-rolos-tou-mikrobioma) -of-the-bowel/ ).
4. Energy Intake and Metabolism: Results of studies show that, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the presence of metabolic syndrome is associated with higher disease activity, based on various clinical, laboratory and other parameters. The prevalence of insulin resistance is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and correlates with disease activity and disease-specific factors such as chronic systemic inflammation. Obesity is very common and is associated with more severe symptoms and higher rates of disability among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The metabolism of lipids and their peroxidation from the oxidative load is another main feature, since polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s) are the important targets of free radicals.