Early menopause is an independent predictor of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

RA was predicted by an early age at menopause. This implicates an influence of hormonal changes during the fertile period on the development of RA in postmenopausal women.

Breastfeeding and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis

“…Amelioration of RA has been observed during pregnancy with exacerbation in the postpartum period 10 , and breastfeeding might play an important role in this apparent paradoxical result. The influence of breastfeeding on the risk of developing RA has been investigated in a number of studies, but their results were inconsistent, with increased risk, reduced risk, or no discernable effect reported 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 .…”

Suppression of Experimental Arthritis and Associated Bone Loss by a Tissue-Selective Estrogen Complex

“…Persistent inflammation leads to destruction of joint cartilage and periarticular bone as well as generalized bone loss and increased fracture risk (5,6). The higher RA incidence in females is likely associated with levels of endogenous female sex hormones because the incidence of RA increase after menopause, and early menopause is a predictor of RA (7,8). Clinical studies evaluating effects of HRT in RA are inconclusive, but reduced disease activity score and increased BMD have been reported (9).…”

IL-17-producing γδT cells are regulated by estrogen during development of experimental arthritis

“…The RA incidence increases in connection with menopause when estradiol levels drop, and early menopause is an independent predictor of RA [18,19]. Furthermore, women with RA often experience improved joint disease symptoms during pregnancy (afflicted with high levels of estrogens), and estradiol-containing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) given to postmenopausal RA patients improved joint disease activity in some studies but not in others [20][21][22][23].…”