Rheumatoid Arthritis Found to Genetically Increase Risk of Hand Disorders: Study

To further validate the findings, this study incorporated a multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis to control for potential confounders, including blood sugar levels, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle behaviors such as smoking and alcohol use. After these adjustments, the causal associations between RA and both CTS and TF remained statistically robust. This implies that the increased risk is not simply due to lifestyle or metabolic factors but is instead an intrinsic genetic effect of RA.

The results were further strengthened by sensitivity checks, including a leave-one-out analysis that confirmed no single genetic variant skewed the findings. This added to the credibility of RA being a true independent contributor to the development of CTS and TF. CTS and TF are both painful, functionally limiting conditions frequently requiring surgical intervention if not caught early. With RA already being a chronic and debilitating autoimmune disease, recognizing its genetic link to these disorders can guide rheumatologists and orthopedic specialists in risk stratification and early intervention strategies.

Though the association with DQT was initially seen, it did not hold under more rigorous controls, and no evidence was found linking RA to DD. Further studies in diverse populations and real-world clinical settings are needed to confirm the generalizability of the findings.

Reference:

Lv, Z., Yang, Y., Bao, Y., & Deng, C. (2025). Unveiling the genetic association between rheumatoid arthritis and four common hand pathologies. European Journal of Medical Research, 30(1), 492. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02695-0