Can the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and its treatment affect survival?

This study examined whether the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and its treatment can influence patient survival.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation of the joints. The severity of RA varies among patients. Some patients may have mild disease activity, with only a few affected joints. Others can have moderate or severe disease activity. It is believed that the disease activity may affect mortality. It is also believed that the drugs used to treat RA can influence mortality. Methotrexate (Trexall) has been shown to reduce mortality. However, it is not certain whether the newer biological therapies (such as Remicade, Rituxin or Orencia) have the same effect.

This study aimed to determine whether high disease activity is associated with a higher risk of mortality. This study also aimed to determine whether drug treatment can influence mortality in RA patients.

This study involved 8908 patients with RA. Participants were followed over a 10 year period. Within 10 years, 0.05% of participants had died.

Patients that had persistent high disease activity had 2.43 times the mortality risk compared to those with low disease activity. Treatment with glucocorticoid drugs (such as prednisone) was also associated with an increased mortality risk. Patients treated with biological therapies had a 36-43% lower mortality risk compared to those receiving methotrexate.

This study concluded that patients with persistent high disease activity have a higher risk of mortality. This study also suggested that biological therapies are more effective than methotrexate in reducing the mortality risk.

This study only assessed the influence which high disease activity has on mortality; it did not assess the impact of low or moderate disease activity on mortality.

Consult your physician regarding the risks and benefits associated with biological therapies to reduce the mortality risk.