Abstract

To accurately predict disease development can be considered the “holy grail” of risk factor research. It holds the potential to employ preventive treatment thereby nipping RA in the bud.

This presentation will review familial risk in RA and the underlying genetic risk factors, as well as environmental risk factors for disease. Autoantibodies are a potent prognostic marker when it comes to the risk of developing RA, and play a key role in current pathophysiological hypotheses. The newest players in the autoantibody field, and latest concepts of how the various risk factors contribute to disease onset will be discussed.