The evolving comorbidity landscape of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with a wide spectrum of comorbidities that substantially influence quality of life and long-term outcomes. These include extra-articular manifestations, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular accidents, dementia, malignancy, infection, mental health disorders and osteoporosis. Patterns of comorbidity in RA have evolved over the past three decades, with declining prevalence of some complications alongside persistently high or increasing burdens of interstitial lung disease, anxiety and depression. Shifts in the comorbidity landscape probably reflect advances in RA management, including the expanded use of biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and a widespread adoption of treat-to-target strategies. Consideration of comorbidity-specific epidemiology, the potential effect of DMARDs on comorbidity risk and opportunities to address both RA and comorbid disease are increasingly relevant in clinical care. Preventive strategies, including selected enhanced screening approaches such as those for cervical cancer, interstitial lung disease, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, form an important component of comprehensive RA management. Awareness of the changing comorbidity landscape could support more integrated and individualized care for people with RA.