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ABSTRACT: Background
PATIENTS with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of developing comorbid conditions.Objectives
To evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities and compare their management in RA patients from different countries worldwide.Methods
Study design
international, cross-sectional.Patients
consecutive RA patients.Data collected
demographics, disease characteristics (activity, severity, treatment), comorbidities (cardiovascular, infections, cancer, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, osteoporosis and psychiatric disorders).Results
Of 4586 patients recruited in 17 participating countries, 3920 were analysed (age, 56±13 years; disease duration, 10±9 years (mean±SD); female gender, 82%; DAS28 (Disease Activity Score using 28 joints)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 3.7±1.6 (mean±SD); Health Assessment Questionnaire, 1.0±0.7 (mean±SD); past or current methotrexate use, 89%; past or current use of biological agents, 39%. The most frequently associated diseases (past or current) were: depression, 15%; asthma, 6.6%; cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke), 6%; solid malignancies (excluding basal cell carcinoma), 4.5%; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 3.5%. High intercountry variability was observed for both the prevalence of comorbidities and the proportion of subjects complying with recommendations for preventing and managing comorbidities. The systematic evaluation of comorbidities in this study detected abnormalities in vital signs, such as elevated blood pressure in 11.2%, and identified conditions that manifest as laboratory test abnormalities, such as hyperglycaemia in 3.3% and hyperlipidaemia in 8.3%.Conclusions
Among RA patients, there is a high prevalence of comorbidities and their risk factors. In this multinational sample, variability among countries was wide, not only in prevalence but also in compliance with recommendations for preventing and managing these comorbidities. Systematic measurement of vital signs and laboratory testing detects otherwise unrecognised comorbid conditions.
SUBMITTER: Dougados M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3888623 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Dougados Maxime M Soubrier Martin M Antunez Anna A Balint Peter P Balsa Alejandro A Buch Maya H MH Casado Gustavo G Detert Jacqueline J El-Zorkany Bassel B Emery Paul P Hajjaj-Hassouni Najia N Harigai Masayoshi M Luo Shue-Fen SF Kurucz Reka R Maciel Gabriel G Mola Emilio Martin EM Montecucco Carlo Maurizio CM McInnes Iain I Radner Helga H Smolen Josef S JS Song Yeong-Wook YW Vonkeman Harald Erwin HE Winthrop Kevin K Kay Jonathan J
Annals of the rheumatic diseases 20131004 1
<h4>Background</h4>PATIENTS with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk of developing comorbid conditions.<h4>Objectives</h4>To evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities and compare their management in RA patients from different countries worldwide.<h4>Methods</h4><h4>Study design</h4>international, cross-sectional.<h4>Patients</h4>consecutive RA patients.<h4>Data collected</h4>demographics, disease characteristics (activity, severity, treatment), comorbidities (cardiovascular, infection ...[more]