Let's Talk Facts:

• More than 2 million people in the United States have RA.
• Generally, it affects more women than men.
• RA typically develops between the ages of 25 and 50.

• While RA itself is not inherited, what can be inherited are the genes that may make someone more likely to develop the disease.
• Although scientists believe it is unlikely that genes alone bring about RA, research continues to discover what role genes may play in the development of the condition

How Do I Know? :

• "Non-specific"testing - it doesn't really point to a certain diagnosis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but says that there is inflammation somewhere in the body.

• Sedimentation rate, sometimes called the ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the other test of that kind is often called CRP or C-reactive protein.
  
• RF test or RA Factor. Not everyone who has RA will test positive for one or both tests.