Women with late menarche and early menopause may demonstrate higher risk for Rheumatoid arthritis

This study aimed to examine rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk associated with hormonal and reproductive factors in women from the large cohort of the UK Biobank. Data on hormonal and reproductive factors in women were collected from a prospective cohort of 223 526 UK Biobank participants. The potential relationship between reproductive factors and RA risk was assessed using a restricted cubic spline. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regressions. Results: During a median follow-up of 12.39 years, 3313 women with rheumatoid arthritis were identified. Age at menarche >14 years was associated with a greater rheumatoid arthritis risk (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.26) compared with menarche at 13. The multiple adjusted HR for rheumatoid arthritis in women with menopause at <45 years was 1.46. Reproductive years <33 increased the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.59). Compared with those with 2 children, women with ≥4 children were associated with a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.34). Women who had a hysterectomy (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.56) or oophorectomy (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.35) had a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis than those without a hysterectomy or oophorectomy. Both hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.57) and HRT duration (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03) were associated with a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Some hormonal and reproductive factors were associated with a higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Hormonal and reproductive factors should be considered in risk assessment and formulating management plans in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Reference:

Hormonal and reproductive factors in relation to the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women: a prospective cohort study with 223 526 participants. Ling-Qiong Jiang, Ruo-Di Zhang, Harry Asena Musonye, Hao-Yun Zhao, Yi-Sheng He, Chan-Na Zhao1,2, Tian He, Tian Tian, Zhao-Xing Gao, Yang Fang, Peng Wang. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8218-5747Jing Ni and http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8218-5747Hai-Feng Pan. Correspondence to Dr Hai-Feng Pan; panhaifeng1982@sina.com; Dr Jing Ni; nijing@ahmu.edu.cn

Keywords:

Women, late menarche, early menopause, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ling-Qiong Jiang, Ruo-Di Zhang, Harry Asena Musonye, Hao-Yun Zhao, Yi-Sheng He, Chan-Na Zhao1,2, Tian He, Tian Tian, Zhao-Xing Gao, Yang Fang, Peng Wang