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Current Rheumatology Reports
Published in: Current Rheumatology Reports 5/2010

01-10-2010

Epidemiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Mortality

Authors: Elena Myasoedova, John M. Davis III, Cynthia S. Crowson, Sherine E. Gabriel

Published in: Current Rheumatology Reports | Issue 5/2010

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Abstract

Increased mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is widely recognized but not fully explained. Despite substantial improvements in management and growing knowledge of the determinants of increased mortality, evidence for reduction in mortality in RA has lagged behind. Indeed, most studies report no apparent reduction in mortality in RA. However, emerging evidence from some recent RA inception cohorts suggests no increased mortality, including cardiovascular mortality, but this awaits further confirmation. Although it is possible that recent advances in RA treatment may manifest in improvement of survival in the near future, other factors, including undertreated or unrecognized low-grade inflammation, comorbidities, and immunogenetic factors, may contribute to the excess mortality in RA and impede its improvement. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the rates and determinants of mortality in RA, identify and discuss potential explanations for excess mortality, and outline promising research avenues for targeting mortality in RA.
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Metadata
Title
Epidemiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Mortality
Authors
Elena Myasoedova
John M. Davis III
Cynthia S. Crowson
Sherine E. Gabriel
Publication date
01-10-2010
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Rheumatology Reports / Issue 5/2010
Print ISSN: 1523-3774
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6307
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-010-0117-y

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