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Causes of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 1971 to 1991 with special reference to autopsy

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Graduate School of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Biomaterials and by a grant from the Helsinki University Central Hospital Research Funds. The authors thank Simo Pelanteri (STAKES), Mauno Huohvanainen (Statistics Finland) for their contribution, and Salme Järvenpää for statistical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, P.O. BOX 263, FI-00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland

    Riitta Koivuniemi & Marjatta Leirisalo-Repo

  2. Orton Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    Leena Paimela

Authors
  1. Riitta Koivuniemi
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  2. Leena Paimela
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  3. Marjatta Leirisalo-Repo
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Correspondence to Riitta Koivuniemi.

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Koivuniemi, R., Paimela, L. & Leirisalo-Repo, M. Causes of death in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 1971 to 1991 with special reference to autopsy. Clin Rheumatol 28, 1443–1447 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1278-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1278-9

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