Hanyang: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disorder that
affects the joints, and can lead to their loss of function. It is an
autoimmune disease, meaning that the body mistakenly perceives itself as
a virus. The cause for the rheumatoid arthritis is largely genetic,
with genetic factors responsible for more than 60 percent of its
occurrence. The 40 percent of the cause can be traced for acquired
factors, such as smoking and drinking. It can affect people of all ages,
and it most commonly affects women aged between 40 and 50.
Professor Sang Cheol Bae is one of the main authors of the research paper titled “
High-density genotyping of immune loci in Koreans and Europeans identifies eight new rheumatoid arthritis risk lock,”
which presented a further insight into the cure of the disease called
rheumatoid arthritis.
Extensive research has been conducted for years for its genetic
cause and cure, and as of now, researchers have found about 40 to 50
genes in our body that induce rheumatoid arthritis. In the research, Bae
uncovered that 8 more genes which affect the disease. “For many years,
the research of rheumatic arthritis has been led by researchers in
Europe and the U.S.,” Bae said. “This research was one of the first to
tackle the disease led by Asian researchers.” This lead by the Korean
and Asian researchers proved to be meaningful, as one of the eight newly
found genes was found to be exclusive for Asian ethnic group.
In the research process, a group of researchers including Bae
compared three sets of data, which were 1) data based on approximately
3,200 Koreans including rheumatoid arthritis patients, 2) data based on
about 3,700 regular Koreans and about 700 Korean rheumatoid patients,
and 3) data based on about 46,000 Caucasians, received from researchers
from Europe and U.S. “Historically, research for this disease had been
difficult for Asians due to its cost and language barriers,” Bae said.
“We wanted to be the strong starting point for the research of the
rheumatic arthritis led by Asian scientists and researchers. This is
important because many genetically based diseases including this one
have different causes and implications according to different ethnic
groups.”
As a director of Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases,
Bae stated that now is the step to enhance the reputation of the
Rheumatic Diseases hospital. “We were one of the very first hospitals in
Korea to extensively focus on Rheumatic diseases. In our earlier days,
we focused on communication and public relations, reinforcing our image
of professionalism in the field of cure for Rheumatic diseases,” said
Bae. “Now is the time to reinforce our reputation of providing quality
treatment services for patients. In order to make this happen, our areas
of research, administration, and treatment for patients must act as
one, creating a positive synergy.”
