Poor air quality can affect your joints, trigger severe rheumatoid arthritis: Experts

Poor air quality may not just be choking your lungs it can also attack joints leading to severe rheumatoid arthritis experts said here on ThursdayRheumatoid arthritis RA is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the bodyrsquos own tissues especially the joints causing persistent pain swelling stiffness and disabilityTraditionally linked to genetics and immune system dysfunction RA is now increasingly being associated with environmental triggers like air pollutionRecent studies in Europe China and now India suggest that exposure to PM25 the dangerous fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into the lungs may be linked not only to heart and lung diseases but also to autoimmune disorders like RAldquoWe are observing a rise in cases of RA in patients living in polluted areas that have no family history or genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease Pollutants induce inflammatory reactions exacerbating joint damage and promoting disease progressionrdquo said Dr Uma Kumar Head of Rheumatology at AIIMS New DelhildquoThese toxins trigger systemic inflammation and oxidative stress causing an overactive immune response This is a public health emergency we can no longer ignorerdquo added Kumar while speaking at the 40th Annual Conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association IRACON 2025 at Yashobhoomi Dwarka hereCurrent estimates suggest that RA already affects around 1 per cent of Indiarsquos adult population but with pollution as a trigger these numbers may spike dramaticallyDr Pulin Gupta Professor and Rheumatologist at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital highlighted that the pollutionrelated cases of RA are more severe than the general onesldquoWhat we are witnessing is not just more RA cases but also more severe ones Patients exposed to higher concentrations of PM25 are presenting with aggressive disease that progresses faster Reduced green spaces in urban areas are worsening the problem depriving residents of protective environmental buffersrdquo Gupta saidStudies have shown strong associations between exposure to PM25 nitrogen oxides and ozone with increased risk of RA and worsening symptoms especially in genetically susceptible individuals Living near busy roads which means constant trafficrelated pollution has also been linked to higher RA riskThe experts also pointed out that autoimmune diseases like RA are lifelong conditions with no permanent cure only managementThe health experts stressed the urgent need for multidisciplinary action stricter pollution control increased public awareness and early screening of atrisk populations and lifestyle changes to reduce exposure They also called for expansion of urban green cover cleaner transport solutions and stronger national policies linking air quality to healthThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever