Risk factors for lower extremity ulcers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
| Variable | Value* | HR (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| At RA incidence | ||
| Age, yrs, per 10-yr increase | 55.9 (± 15.7) | 1.73 (1.47, 2.04)** |
| Sex, female | 556 (68) | 1.22 (0.77, 1.94) |
| Calendar year of RA incidence in 1995–2007, vs 1980–1994 | 464 (57) | 2.14 (1.27, 3.58)** |
| ESR at RA incidence date, per 10 mm/h increase | 32.7 (± 25.7) | 1.05 (0.94, 1.18) |
| Highest ESR in first year of RA, per 10 mm/h increase | 105 (13) | 1.03 (0.94, 1.12) |
| RF-positive | 537 (66) | 1.63 (1.05, 2.53)** |
| Current smoker | 178 (22) | 1.46 (0.92, 2.34) |
| Ever smoker | 449 (55) | 1.02 (0.66, 1.58) |
| At RA incidence or at any time during followup | ||
| History of BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 | 388 (48) | 1.12 (0.73, 1.71) |
| History of BMI < 20 kg/m2 | 190 (23) | 1.68 (1.03, 2.75)** |
| Rheumatoid nodules | 267 (33) | 2.14 (1.39, 3.31)** |
| Radiological erosions/destructive changes | 433 (53) | 1.59 (1.03, 2.47)** |
| Severe extraarticular RA*** | 90 (11) | 1.96 (1.11, 3.47)** |
| Large joint swelling | 639 (79) | 1.58 (0.89, 2.82) |
| Ever 3 ESR ≥ 60 mm/h | 105 (13) | 2.39 (1.40, 4.07)** |
| Arthroplasty or synovectomy | 190 (23) | 1.36 (0.86, 2.15) |
| Ever exposure to medications | ||
| Methotrexate | 469 (58) | 1.58 (1.01, 2.47)** |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 480 (59) | 1.09 (0.70, 1.70) |
| Other DMARD | 258 (32) | 1.36 (0.84, 2.19) |
| Biologic agents | 137 (17) | 1.95 (0.99, 3.83) |
| Systemic glucocorticosteroids | 627 (77) | 1.54 (0.93, 2.54) |
| Comorbidities | ||
| Hypertension | 709 (87) | 1.94 (0.76, 4.93) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 154 (19) | 1.56 (0.96, 2.51) |
| Cardiovascular disease | 231 (28) | 1.51 (0.92, 2.47) |
| Peripheral vascular disease | 28 (3) | 1.29 (0.52, 3.25) |
| Venous thromboembolism | 69 (8) | 2.16 (1.07, 4.36)** |