History, as the saying goes, repeats itself. And, during these historical COVID‐19 pandemic times, a rheumatologist may wonder ‐ what does the COVID‐19 pandemic mean for rheumatology patients?(1) No one knows for sure, of course. But, if history really does repeat itself, infants and toddlers world‐wide may be at risk. This is the focus of the study by VanEvery et al. in this issue of Arthritis and Rheumatology where they examined the association between early life exposure to a prolonged crisis and the future risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).(2) Specifically, the authors analyzed data collected from adult participants enrolled in the Kailuan Study in China who were exposed to the Great Chinese Famine (1959‐1961) at early life.
Consequences of a great crisis on chronic diseases: How childhood exposures may shape future health