Familial risk of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and interaction with smoking: a population-based cohort study

Hyun Jung Kim, Heather Swan, Sayada Zartasha Kazmi, Gahwi Hong, Young Shin Kim, Seeun Choi, Taeuk Kang, Jaewoo Cha, Jungmin Eom, Hoo Jae Hann, In Ah Choi, Hyeong Sik Ahn

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objectives: We evaluated the familial risk of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and examined interactions between family history and smoking. Methods: Using the National Health Insurance and Health Screening Program databases, which include information on familial relationships and lifestyle factors, we identified 5 524 403 individuals with first-degree relatives (FDRs) from 2002-2018. We calculated familial risk using hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs which compare the risk of individuals with and without affected FDRs. Interactions between smoking and family history were assessed on an additive scale using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Results: Individuals with affected FDR had 4.52-fold (95% CI 3.98, 5.12) increased risk of disease compared with those with unaffected FDR. Familial risk adjusted for lifestyle factors decreased slightly (HR 4.49), suggesting that a genetic contribution is the predominant driver in the familial aggregation of RA. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of disease that was more pronounced among heavy (HR 1.92 95% CI 1.70, 2.18) compared with moderate (HR 1.15 95% CI 1.04, 1.28) smoking. In the interaction analysis, the risk associated with the combined effect of smoking and family history was higher than the sum of their individual effects, though statistically non-significant (RERI 1.30 95% CI -0.92, 3.51). Heavy smokers with a positive family history showed a prominent interaction (RERI 4.13 95% CI -0.88, 9.13) which exceeded moderate smokers (RERI 0.61 95% CI -1.90, 3.13), suggesting a dose-response interaction pattern. Conclusion: Our findings indicate the possibility of an interaction between RA-associated genes and smoking.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3006-3013
    Number of pages8
    JournalRheumatology (United Kingdom)
    Volume62
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2023 Sept 1

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This research was supported by Chungbuk National University Korea National University Development Project (2020).

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved.

    Keywords

    • additive interaction
    • familial risk
    • RA
    • smoking

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Rheumatology
    • Pharmacology (medical)

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Familial risk of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and interaction with smoking: a population-based cohort study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this