title: Relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agents could start this disease. The majority of the characteristics of this infirmity can be observed in chronic arthritis produced by mycoplasmas in animals. In this study the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and RA has been evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was performed. Sera taken from 78 RA patients and from 156 controls were analysed to ascertain the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against M. pneumoniae. Other variables, like age, gender, work status, history of pneumonia, etc., were recorded in a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of antibodies against M. pneumoniae was associated with RA (odds ratio=2.34, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that M. pneumoniae could be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of RA; however, more studies need to be done.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de G.C., Trasmontaña s/n, Arucas 35416, Las Palmas, Spain. aramirez@dpat.ulpgc.es
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosas
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hernández-Beriain
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Orengo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saavedra
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de la Fe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Poveda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000382:microbiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009177:Mycoplasma pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G