Genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis found

Manchester, England -- Researchers at Britain's University of Manchester found evidence of several new genes linked with the chronic inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis.

Professor Jane Worthington and colleagues reached their findings as part of the $18 million Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium's study of the genetics of seven common diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Worthington and her team implicated several genes in the development of rheumatoid arthritis for the first time. Previously two genes were known to explain 50 percent of genetically determined susceptibility.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect nearly all joints in the body, particularly the hands and feet. Complications such as lung disease can also occur. In addition, patients with RA are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

The research appears in the journal Nature Genetics.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.