5th June 2025

Aetiology

The aetiology of RA is multifactorial with no clear cause found. RA is an autoimmune condition with antibodies seen against rheumatoid factor or anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. It is also associated with genetic factors, most notably HLA-DR4 which may be involved in the pathogenesis. Some genetic variants of PTPN22 and other genes have been identified as risk factors. It has also been proposed that an infection may be the trigger RA in a susceptible individual, but no specific causative factor has been identified.