Dietary Factors and Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk in the UK Biobank

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory arthritis, affecting around 1% of the UK population. It affects around 400,000 adults and is characterised by synovial inflammation, cartilage and bone damage that requires lifelong treatment and represents a significant burden for both the individual and society. Diet can affect inflammatory status and RA risk, with varying risks for men and women on specific diets. People with low to moderate consumption of alcohol may be at a lower risk of RA. Those who consume lower intakes of fruit and vegetables could be at a greater risk than those with adequate intakes. This research aims to better understand the role of diet in reducing RA risk in men and women in the United Kingdom. The research will use existing dietary and lifestyle data from the United Kingdom Biobank Study and hospital records of RA incidence.