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Extra-articular rheumatoid arthritis: prevalence and mortality
C Turesson1, L Jacobsson, U Bergström
1Department of Rheumatology, Lund University, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|August 26, 1999
Summary
Extra-articular manifestations (ExRA) like serositis and vasculitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were studied. ExRA patients had significantly higher mortality, often due to heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
- Extra-articular manifestations (ExRA) are common in RA and impact prognosis.
- Understanding ExRA prevalence and mortality is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and distribution of ExRA in a Swedish RA cohort.
- To investigate the association between ExRA and mortality in RA patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of RA patients admitted to University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden (1990-1994).
- Inclusion criteria: 1987 ACR criteria for RA.
- Data collection on ExRA onset, type, and survival.
Main Results:
- Cumulative incidence of ExRA was 7.9% (37/489 patients).
- Predominant ExRA included serositis and cutaneous vasculitis.
- Mortality rate ratio was 2.49 in ExRA patients compared to non-ExRA patients.
- Heart disease was the leading cause of death in ExRA patients (69%).
Conclusions:
- Serositis and cutaneous vasculitis are key ExRA in this cohort.
- ExRA is associated with increased mortality in RA.
- High frequency of heart disease in ExRA patients may explain increased mortality.