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Relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and Mycoplasma pneumoniae: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a complex and multifactorial aetiology. Infectious agents could start this disease. The majority of the characteristics of this infirmity can be observed in chronic arthritis produced by mycoplasmas in animals. In this study the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and RA has been evaluated.


METHODS
A case-control study was performed. Sera taken from 78 RA patients and from 156 controls were analysed to ascertain the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against M. pneumoniae. Other variables, like age, gender, work status, history of pneumonia, etc., were recorded in a questionnaire.


RESULTS
The presence of antibodies against M. pneumoniae was associated with RA (odds ratio=2.34, P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that M. pneumoniae could be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of RA; however, more studies need to be done.