Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the reasons for the greater prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis among women; and what bespoke support is made available to women as a result of that increased prevalence.

NHS England and NHS Improvement are aware that women are three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to men. Research to date has revealed factors and characteristics that may explain these differences, including hormone production, genes, physiological features, gender-based roles and behavioural expectations. Research remains ongoing, with a particular emphasis on genetics.

Services for people with RA are a matter for local clinical commissioning groups. Advice and support for people with RA is available via commissioned rheumatology services with multi-disciplinary teams, departmental advice lines and patient charities such as Versus Arthritis and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.