Here's the link to the abstract:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/109747908/ABSTRACT

Research Article
Do breast-feeding and other reproductive factors influence future risk of
rheumatoid arthritis?: Results from the Nurses' Health Study

Objective
To explore the contribution of female hormonal factors occurring prior to
the onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), such as age at menarche, parity, age
at first birth, breast-feeding, use of oral contraceptives (OCs), irregular
menstrual cycles, and postmenopausal hormone (PMH) use, to the subsequent
development of RA in a large female cohort.

Conclusion
In this large cohort, breast-feeding for >12 months was inversely related to
the development of RA. This apparent effect was dose-dependent, with a
significant trend toward lower risk with longer duration of breast-feeding.
Irregular menstrual cycles and earlier age at menarche increased the risk of
RA. Other reproductive hormonal factors were not associated with RA risk.


Janice Reynolds

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