BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An increased prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been reported in several American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. This article reviews the prevalence of RA in these populations, including clinical and serologic features. METHODS: References were taken from Medline through November 2003, in addition to the Arctic Health Literature Database and the American Indian and Alaska Native Health Bibliography. RESULTS: Published articles reveal an increased prevalence of RA in the Tlingit, Yakima, Pima, and Chippewa Indians. Clinically the disease in these groups is often severe, with early age of onset, high frequency of radiographic erosions, rheumatoid nodules, and positive rheumatoid factor. Studies of HLA alleles in cases and controls have found a high frequency of HLA DRB1*1402. CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of RA and more severe disease in specific AI/AN populations suggest an important genetic influence on the development of RA in AI/AN populations. A high frequency of specific high-risk HLA alleles in these populations may account for some of the increased risk, but other genetic factors are likely to contribute. Environmental factors have not been studied in detail, but may also play an important role. RELEVANCE: Understanding the patterns and burden of disease in AI/AN populations may contribute to understanding the etiology of RA and to the development of preventive strategies.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An increased prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been reported in several American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. This article reviews the prevalence of RA in these populations, including clinical and serologic features. METHODS: References were taken from Medline through November 2003, in addition to the Arctic Health Literature Database and the American Indian and Alaska Native Health Bibliography. RESULTS: Published articles reveal an increased prevalence of RA in the Tlingit, Yakima, Pima, and Chippewa Indians. Clinically the disease in these groups is often severe, with early age of onset, high frequency of radiographic erosions, rheumatoid nodules, and positive rheumatoid factor. Studies of HLA alleles in cases and controls have found a high frequency of HLA DRB1*1402. CONCLUSIONS: The increased prevalence of RA and more severe disease in specific AI/AN populations suggest an important genetic influence on the development of RA in AI/AN populations. A high frequency of specific high-risk HLA alleles in these populations may account for some of the increased risk, but other genetic factors are likely to contribute. Environmental factors have not been studied in detail, but may also play an important role. RELEVANCE: Understanding the patterns and burden of disease in AI/AN populations may contribute to understanding the etiology of RA and to the development of preventive strategies.
Authors: Yesenia Santiago-Casas; Tania C González-Rivera; Lesliane E Castro-Santana; Grissel Ríos; David Martínez; Vanessa E Rodríguez; Rafael González-Alcover; Angel M Mayor; Luis M Vilá Journal: Ethn Dis Date: 2010 Impact factor: 1.847
Authors: Kevin D Deane; M Kristen Demoruelle; Lindsay B Kelmenson; Kristine A Kuhn; Jill M Norris; V Michael Holers Journal: Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol Date: 2017-09-18 Impact factor: 4.098
Authors: Elizabeth D Ferucci; M Catherine Schumacher; Anne P Lanier; Maureen A Murtaugh; Sandra Edwards; Laurie J Helzer; Lillian Tom-Orme; Martha L Slattery Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 2008-08-15
Authors: João Luiz Coelho Ribas; Shirley Ramos da Rosa Utiyama; Renato Mitsunori Nisihara; Maristela Boeira; Iara Taborda de Messias Reason Journal: Rheumatol Int Date: 2008-09-27 Impact factor: 2.631