The exposome in rheumatoid arthritis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Rheumatology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune disease with genetic and environmental influences.
• Understanding the cumulative impact of environmental exposures throughout life is crucial for RA etiology.
• The exposome concept provides a framework to integrate diverse external and internal exposures.

Approach:

• This review defines the exposome concept and its relevance to disease.
• It outlines analytical tools and methodologies for exposome assessment.
• The application of exposome research to rheumatoid arthritis is discussed.

Key Points:

• The exposome captures the totality of environmental exposures from conception to death.
• RA pathophysiology may be better understood by analyzing the exposome.
• Measuring the exposome requires integrated approaches and a life-course perspective.

Conclusions:

• The exposome concept is a valuable tool for investigating the environmental determinants of RA.
• Further research applying exposome analysis to RA is warranted.
• Integrating exposome data can advance our understanding of RA's complex origins.