Experts discover early indicator of rheumatoid arthritis risk

Researchers at the University Hospital in Umea, Sweden, have potentially found a way of predicting a person's risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis before the presentation of symptoms by means of a blood test.

The study, published in the February issue of the American journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, suggests that experts may be able to delay the onset of the disease by identifying risk years before arthritic symptoms start to develop.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that involves inflammation of the joints, which causes pain, swelling, stiffness and in some cases loss of function.

Patients who are diagnosed and receive treatment early are less likely to experience joint damage that requires replacement.

Lead researcher Dr Solbritt Rantapaa-Dahlqvist said: "Our findings present an opportunity for better predicting the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and possibly preventing disease progression."

The condition often develops between the ages of 25 and 55 and is more common in women than in men.

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