Rheumatoid arthritis is an ancient disease; bone changes indicating the condition have been identified in skeletons thousands of years old. RA effects an estimated 2.5 million Americans -- over 60% of them women. (The risk for women is slightly lower if they have been pregnant.)

Women are also at higher risk for the severe type 2 rheumatoid arthritis. Although the disease can occur at any age from childhood to old age, it usually starts in young adulthood, with age of onset peaking between 20 and 45. The risk increases in those with relatives who have rheumatoid arthritis. One study suggests that smoking, obesity, and a history of prior blood transfusion are all significant risk factors for the development of RA.

Reports from a recent Dutch study suggest that hay fever sufferers have a reduced risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, and, conversely, arthritis patients are less likely to have hay fever. Having a history of major depression that persists or reoccurs seems to increase the pain, disability, and fatigue experienced by patients with arthritis.

 It should be noted that, contrary to public reports, most studies are not finding any association between silicone breast implants and rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimumune disease (except possibly Sjogren's syndrome). Implants also do not appear to increase the risk for these diseases in breast-fed babies