New evidence links respiratory diseases to rheumatoid arthritis

Much more research is needed, however, to establish causality, US researchers say

Certain upper respiratory tract diseases, such as sinusitis and pharyngitis, are associated with up to a 2.5-fold greater risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, new research shows.

US clinicians say their findings add to a growing body of evidence implicating the oral and respiratory mucosa in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis.