title: Rheumatoid arthritis: What have we learned about the causing factors?
abstract: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by the synovitis of both small and large joints, which may lead to the destruction of cartilage and bones causing significant disabilities due to erosion of bones surfaces, if left untreated. It is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease having contribution of both genetic (50-60%) and environmental factors. The unawareness of general public might be a contributing factor in the high prevalence rate of RA world-wide. This review article focuses on the causing factors (genetics and environmental) involved in this devastating disease. We also gave brief overview of the treatment options and animal models of RA. The literature was reviewed using mesh terms in PubMed search ''etiology of RA, genetics of RA, environmental factors in RA, Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) in RA''. The data was thoroughly reviewed and comprehensive information was extracted to help the readers in improving understanding towards the mechanisms, which trigger the outcomes of RA. The more we increase awareness about RA, the better we manage this disease and hence can improve life style and socio-economic status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM), Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Fazal
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Jalil
authors.affiliation: Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arshad
authors.affiliation: Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan.
authors.forename: Attya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhatti
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Modeling and Simulation (RCMS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan.
authors.forename: Jamil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fazal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akbar
authors.affiliation: Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: John
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004777:Environment; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics