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Published on: May 16, 2025
Causes of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 1971 to 1991 with special reference to autopsy
Riitta Koivuniemi1, Leena Paimela, Marjatta Leirisalo-Repo
1Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, P.O. BOX 263, FI-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland. riitta.koivuniemi@hus.fi
Abstract:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have premature mortality, mostly attributed to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We studied causes of death (CoDs) and contribution of autopsy to them in RA patients treated at a single hospital responsible for primary to tertiary RA treatment in Helsinki. In 1971-1991, 960 RA patients died. The leading CoDs were CVDs, RA, and infections. Over 1971-1991, RA and renal deaths declined, but other CoDs showed no change. Autopsied patients died more frequently than nonautopsied of coronary heart disease (CHD) and gastrointestinal disorders, but less frequently of RA, renal, and endocrinologic diseases. Our finding of autopsied patients having CHD more frequently as a CoD may indicate that CHD, which may be asymptomatic in RA, may be overlooked during lifetime.
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