The role of genetic analysis for predicting outcome of rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) varies from a mild to a severe, unremitting illness characterized by uncontrolled inflammation with consequent damage to cartilage and bone of joints. Individualized therapeutic approaches based on likely outcome would facilitate a personalized therapeutic approach.

Areas covered: Genetics is known to contribute a significant component of the variability in RA outcome, estimated at 45–60%. A number of candidate gene studies have been associated with variability in radiologically assessed joint damage; however a more comprehensive genome wide analysis is required to more fully characterize the genetic basis of RA severity.

Expert commentary: Genetic profiling of patient presenting with RA has the potential to aid stratification based on predicted prognosis, this would inform the clinical development of a personalized therapeutic approach. It will also result in the identification of novel mediators of tissue damage in RA.

KEYWORDS:

• Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies
• autoimmune diseases
• genetics
• Genome Wide Association Studies
• osteoclastogenesis
• radiological damage
• rheumatoid arthritis
• severity
• tissue damage

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.