Family History
Family history of RA is one of the strongest known risk factors for developing RA, conferring twofold to fourfold increased risk in first-degree relatives. If a member of your family has rheumatoid arthritis, you may have an increased risk of the disease. Genetics can increase the chances of developing this autoimmune disorder. Researchers have established several genetic markers that increase this risk. These genes are associated with the immune system, chronic inflammation, and RA. Family risk does not differ by sex, which suggests that genetic effects do not explain why RA is more common in women than men. Family history remains a strong independent predictor of RA onset.