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They can be linked. They are both autoimmune disorders. That means that the body's immune system attacks the body itself. Inflammation is a big symptom of that.   The immune system attacks the rectum and instestine in UC. Sometimes, other parts of the body are affected by the inflammation too, including the eyes, skin, liver, back and joints, as in RA.Some of the drugs people take to treat RA are also given to people with UC, like Remicade. These drugs weaken your immune system to stop it from further damaging your body. That also helps to decrease the inflammation, swelling and the pain.