# Rheumatoid arthritis risk: smoking, genes, and early care | Arthritis Prevention

Source: https://arthritisprevention.org/rheumatoid-arthritis-risk/

# Rheumatoid arthritis risk

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease: the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, damaging joints in the hands, wrists, and knees. Its causes are not known, but some risks are. [1](#fn1)

## Known risk factors

- Smoking increases the risk of RA and can make it worse.
- Age: risk is highest among adults 50 to 59.
- Sex: women are two to three times more likely to have RA.
- Early life exposures: children whose parents smoked were more likely to develop RA as adults.
- Family history: certain genes, such as the HLA class II gene, raise risk.

## Why early care matters

The CDC says it is best to diagnose and treat RA early, ideally by a rheumatologist, to prevent symptoms from getting worse and to avoid joint damage. Symptoms include pain or stiffness in more than one joint, tenderness and swelling, fatigue, fever, and weight loss.

## Questions

### Can rheumatoid arthritis be prevented?

The causes of RA are not known, so there is no proven way to prevent it. Not smoking lowers one known risk, and early diagnosis and treatment can prevent joint damage.

### Who gets rheumatoid arthritis?

The CDC says risk increases with age and is highest among adults 50 to 59, and women are two to three times more likely to have RA.

This page summarizes public health guidance. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose joint pain. If you have pain, swelling, or stiffness that lasts, see a health care provider.

1. CDC, “Rheumatoid Arthritis”, [https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/index.html](https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/index.html), read November 11, 2026. [↩](#a1)

## RA

Type autoimmune
Changeable risk smoking
Key step early diagnosis