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Functional status predicts mortality in a community based rheumatoid arthritis population
M K Söderlin1, P Nieminen, M Hakala
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|October 21, 1998
Summary
Poor functional status in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients significantly predicts mortality. The Keitel function test is a key tool for assessing this risk, highlighting the importance of functional assessment in rheumatology care.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting joints and potentially leading to systemic complications.
- Understanding long-term survival and mortality predictors in RA is crucial for patient management and healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate mortality rates, causes of death, and identify predictors of survival in a community-based RA cohort.
- To assess the prognostic value of patient and disease characteristics over a 5-year follow-up period.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year follow-up study of 103 RA patients in Northern Finland.
- Mortality and causes of death were determined using official registers and death certificates.
- Statistical analysis evaluated baseline patient demographics and disease characteristics against mortality risk.
Main Results:
- Poor lower extremity function (Keitel function test score ≥ 13) was the strongest predictor of mortality, increasing relative risk by 9.1.
- Cardiovascular disease was the most common cause of death.
- Without the Keitel test, the Health Assessment Questionnaire was the best mortality predictor.
Conclusions:
- Impaired functional status, particularly in the lower extremities, is a significant predictor of mortality in rheumatoid arthritis.
- The findings underscore the critical importance of regularly measuring functional status in rheumatology clinical practice.