What Causes Rheumatism?

Update Date: 2024-07-12 Source: Network

There are many causes of rheumatism, among which immune factors are important. Because the immune response of the body leads to the activation of T cells, which will cause a large number of inflammatory cytokines in the body, leading to rheumatism. In addition to immune response, genetic background, infection factors, endocrine factors, etc., are all important causes of rheumatism.

1. Immune Response:

The body's direct or macrophage-mediated response to exogenous or endogenous antigenic substances activates corresponding T-cells, and some T-cells produce a large number of various inflammatory cytokines, causing varying degrees of damage or destruction to various tissues and organs. Some T-cells re-activate B-cells, producing a large number of antibodies, which directly or combine with antigens to form immune complexes, causing damage or destruction to tissues or organs.

2. Genetic Background:

Genetics is closely related to the susceptibility and expression of the disease, which has certain significance for the early or atypical cases and prognosis of the disease. Among them, HLA (human leukocyte antigen) is the most important.

3. Infection Factors:

According to years of research, various infectious factors, antigens or superantigens produced by microorganisms, can directly or indirectly stimulate or initiate immune responses.

4. Endocrine Factors:

Studies have shown that the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone is related to the occurrence of various rheumatic diseases.

5. Environmental and Physical Factors:

For example, ultraviolet rays can induce SLE.

6. Others:

Some drugs, such as procainamide, and some oral contraceptives, can induce SLE and ANCA-positive small vessel vasculitis.