Stratification based on sex showed that in women the factors significantly associated with increased risk for future RA in the univariable models were smoking (OR = 1.92 (1.50–2.47)), elevated ApoB/ApoA1 ratio (OR = 1.41 (1.09–1.84)) and BMI ≥ 25 (OR = 1.34 (1.06–1.71)). Here, APOB is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.