Number of kids you have and age of first period both linked to rheumatoid arthritis risk in women

The number of kids you have and the age you first started your period have been linked to an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women. Around 400,000 people have the condition in the UK, with about three times as many women impacted than men, according to the NHS.

Researchers are calling for hormonal and reproductive factors to be considered in women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis - a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.

It comes as a new study suggested that starting to have periods at a later age, going through menopause early and having four or more children are among several factors that place women at a higher risk of developing the autoimmune condition.

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The study, by Chinese academics, analysed data from 223,526 people included in the UK Biobank, whose health was tracked for an average of 12 years. During the period, 3,313 women developed rheumatoid arthritis, which usually affects the hands, feet and wrists.

Researchers found going through the menopause before the age of 45 was associated with a 46 per cent heightened risk of developing the condition compared with women who went through menopause before the ages of 50-51.

Those with four or more children carried an 18 per cent higher risk compared to women with two children, while those with fewer than 33 reproductive years – the time between starting periods and menopause – had a 39 per cent higher risk.

The team also found starting periods after the age of 14 was linked to a 17 per cent higher risk than starting them at 13.

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