Smoking
Cigarette smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. Smoking also appears to be associated with greater disease severity. Smoking is linked to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly for people who have smoked 20 years or longer. Smokers also have an increased risk of more severe rheumatoid arthritis. Also, they may be more likely to experience remission.
Smoking decreases the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and can be a barrier to engaging in activities that may relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as exercise. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.
Both environmental and genetic factors play a role in who gets rheumatoid arthritis, and smoking is considered one of the most important environmental risk factors. But it’s a risk factor that’s completely preventable.
Smokers have higher levels of inflammatory proteins called cytokines in their bodies. These play a role in the joint and organ damage that comes with RA. Tobacco smoke causes your body to release all kinds of cytokines linked to inflammation in RA. Smoking may also cause your body to make anti-CCP antibodies.