How Does Smoking Affect My Risk Of Developing Osteoarthritis?

Stephen A. Paget, M.D., Chairman, Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery
January 2, 2008

Question: How does smoking affect my risk of developing osteoarthritis?

Dr. Stephen Paget answers the question: 'Smoking And Osteoarthritis Risk?'

Answer: In many illnesses and disorders, there seems to be an interplay between genetic pre-disposition and environmental triggers. Arthritis is no different. In rheumatoid arthritis, there's a clear genetic pre-disposition that seems to interact with smoking. And recent studies have shown a similar connection between smoking and increased pain due to osteoarthritis and damage of the joint related to it. So, if we didn't know enough bad about smoking in the past, it's very clear with regard to arthritis that you should stop it now.

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