Background/Purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with multiple genetic and environmental factors. In terms of environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors, there have been discrepancies on their association to RA. Objective of this study is to present associated behaviors and other chronic diseases to RA.

Methods: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a nationwide surveillance program from 1998 that combines information on health status and health behaviors with multiple medical diagnoses. This study utilizes the data between 2010 and 2021 among 35,137 adults aged 20 to 79. Multivariate logistic analysis on 35,137 patients was performed to find associated factors to RA; 34,558 adults were without RA and 579 were with RA.

Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis on demographics, health behaviors, and chronic diseases showed that stress, depression, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease were significantly associated with RA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.15 to 1.81, 1.48; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.08, 2.00; 95% CI :1.47 to 2.72, and 1.70; 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.65, respectively). Education was inversely associated with RA (0.62; 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.82).

Conclusion: RA showed significant association with osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, depression, and stress but not with diabetes, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia. In terms of demographics, higher education was inversely associated with RA.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/behavioral-factors-and-chronic-conditions-associated-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-knhanes-2010-to-2021/