From the Guidelines
Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide, with higher prevalence in persons of European or Asian ancestry, and the prevalence increases considerably with age, affecting approximately 6% of the white population older than 65 years. The current rates of rheumatoid arthritis vary by geographic region and demographic factors, with women being two to three times more likely to develop the condition than men, and peak onset typically occurring between ages 50 and 60 1. Some key points to consider when evaluating the current rates of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- The lifetime risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis is 3.6% in women and 1.7% in men in the United States 1
- The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis increases with age, with approximately 6% of the white population older than 65 years affected 1
- Genetic factors, such as specific HLA-DR4 alleles, and environmental factors, such as smoking, contribute to regional differences in rheumatoid arthritis rates 1
- Early diagnosis and aggressive intervention in the early stages of disease are crucial to prevent joint damage and disability, and to improve patient functioning and quality of life 1.
From the Research
Current Prevalence Rates of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The current prevalence rates of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in the general population are estimated to be around 1% of the adult population, as reported in several studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
Prevalence Rates by Study
- A study published in 2001 reported a prevalence of approximately 1% and an annual incidence of 0.04% 2.
- A study published in 1997 also reported that RA affects approximately 1% of the adult population in a female/male ratio ranging from 2:1 to 4:1 3.
- Studies published in 2012 and 2014 confirmed that RA affects approximately 1% of the worldwide population 4, 5.
Key Points
- The prevalence of RA is consistent across different studies, with all reporting a prevalence of around 1% of the adult population.
- The exact cause of RA is not known, but it is believed to result from an interaction among genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, and chance 5.
- RA is characterized by dysregulated inflammatory processes in the synovium of the joint, leading to destruction of cartilaginous and bony elements, pain, and disability 5.