Working environment governs rheumatoid arthritis risk

Washington, Sept 25 : It's not just smoking and alcohol that are instrumental in increasing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, working environment too plays a critical role, say researchers.

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have revealed that working environment factors can also increase the odds of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

"We've uncovered clear correlations between the disease and jobs in which one cannot control one's own situation," said lead researcher Professor Lars Alfredsson, of the Department of Environmental Medicine.

According to the study, this is especially true of psychosocial workload, in particular what is called "low decision latitude".

The research team including Alfredsson and Professor Lars Klareskog of the Department of Medicine suggests a strong correlation between working environment and rheumatoid arthritis

The study is due to be published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.

ANI