RISK FACTORS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that affects the joints and may present several pathogenic mechanisms generally associated with genetic and environmental factors. By compromising the tissue integrity of the joints, RA is a debilitating disease, the evolution of which negatively impacts the quality of life of affected individuals. Objective: The present study aims to discuss the correlation of predisposing risk factors with the development of RA, according to the literature. Methodology: This is an integrative review based on articles published between January 2018 and June 2023, made available in full. The publications were collected from the Scielo, PubMed, Scopus and Virtual Health Library databases, using the descriptor arrangement “rheumatoid arthritis” AND “risk factors”. Results: The articles found were subjected to a thorough and complete reading so that the works that met all the pre-established inclusion criteria could be defined more efficiently. It has been demonstrated that genetic factors, obesity and smoking are aggravating conditions in the development of RA. Final considerations: understanding risk factors is one of the means that enables the development of health promotion actions and strategic planning in disease prevention.