Can treating rheumatoid arthritis before it sets in help delay its onset?

• As of 2021, about 17.9 million people around the world were living with rheumatoid arthritis.
• There is currently no way to prevent rheumatoid arthritis, especially if it runs in your family.
• A new study has found that treating people at high risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis with a rheumatoid arthritis medication may help delay disease onset for several years.

As of 2021, about 17.9 million people around the world were living with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease causing inflammation, pain, and swelling in the joints.

While the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is currently unknown, scientists believe that risk is based on a number of factors, including genetics and environmental factors like smoking.

There is also currently no way to prevent rheumatoid arthritis, especially if it runs in your family.

Now, a study recently published in the journal The Lancet Rheumatology has found that treating people at high risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis with a rheumatoid arthritis-specific medication may help delay disease onset for several years.