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The autoimmune condition is caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue.

However, researchers explored whether high body fat and large waist size were a risk factor.

In the study, presented this week to the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology 2017, they found no clear association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and being overweight or obese in men.

However, for women, being overweight or obese was linked to a higher likelihood of developing it.

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This conflicts with previous studies that found an association for both genders between rheumatoid arthritis and being overweight or obese.

This conflicts with previous studies that found an association for both genders.

Dr. Asta Linauskas, lead study author from University Hospital, Aarhus in Denmark, said: One possible explanation for these inconsistencies is that while BMI has been the preferred surrogate measure for being overweight in these studies, BMI only correlates modestly with total amount of body fat and does not accurately reflect fat distribution.

"Our results support an association between the risk of developing RA and three different criteria for being overweight or obese in women.

We believe RA should be included in the list of all the other medical conditions linked to obesity. It would certainly make sense for women with a family history of RA to try to avoid becoming overweight.

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In the study, they looked at 54,284 people - 52 per cent women - between the ages of 50 and 64 years at the time of recruitment between 1993 and 1997.

During a median follow up of 21 years, 283 women and 110 men developed RA.

The median time for onset of the condition was seven years.

In the data, a positive slope in women confirmed a direct relationship, but there was no such linear association in men.

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According to the NHS, other possible risk factors include genetics, hormones and smoking.

As well as joint pain, symptoms can include sweating, a poor appetite and weight loss.

The condition can be difficult to diagnose as many conditions cause joint stiffness and inflammation.

However, once diagnosed, treatment can be used to enable you still stay as active as possible.

Link:
Rheumatoid arthritis: Being overweight might NOT be a risk factor in ... - Express.co.uk

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