RESEARCH - Causes of death in patients with RA from 1971 to 1991 with special reference to autopsy

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Clin Rheumatol. 2009 Sep 17.

Causes of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 1971 to

1991 with special reference to autopsy.

Koivuniemi R, Paimela L, Leirisalo-Repo M.

Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Helsinki University

Central Hospital, P.O. BOX 263, FI-00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland,

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.

PMID: 19760078

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19760078

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