Genes Boost Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus

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Another expert agreed.

"It is now possible to investigate disease association genes genome-wide," noted Dr. Kazuhiko Yamamoto, from the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Tokyo, Japan, and author of an accompanying NEJM editorial.

"Genetic analyses will enhance our understanding of the disease and the development of new therapies, although more detailed, functional studies are needed," Yamamoto said. "Several associated genes will be revealed to many common diseases in the near future, but ethnic differences should be taken into consideration," he added.

More information

For more on rheumatoid arthritis, visit the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.