Females who have brothers affected by rheumatoid arthritis are approximately twice as likely to test positive for anti-CCP and have higher levels of anti-CCP than the general population of women with rheumatoid arthritis, suggestive of a potentially more severe course of the disease. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, assessed 1,004 members of 467 Caucasian families with two or more siblings who have rheumatoid arthritis. Other sex differences between siblings revealed:

• Males had later onset of rheumatoid arthritis and it was rare to develop before age 45.
• Women develop rheumatoid arthritis from adolescence to menopause.
• Males showed more evidence of erosive rheumatoid arthritis.
• Males were more likely to test positive for rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP and had higher levels of both than females.
• Males were more likely to have a history of smoking (which has previously been associated with rheumatoid arthritis).
• Males were more likely to have HLA-DRB1, a subtype of the genetic marker HLA-DR4 (previously associated with rheumatoid arthritis).
• Females were three times more likely than males to have rheumatoid arthritis.
• Females had higher scores on the Health Assessment Questionnaire indicative of poorer function.
• Females were more likely to have other autoimmune diseases than males, especially autoimmune thyroid disease.

The study results which appear in the October 2006 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism indicate the importance of genetic information and notifying your doctor of other family members with rheumatoid arthritis. Early detection and early treatment are important for rheumatoid arthritis patients of both sexes.

• Arthritis and the Genetic Factor
• Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Screening Quiz
• Test Your Knowledge: Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis 101: Free E-Course Newsletter

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