SHORTENING OF LIFE-SPAN AND CAUSES OF EXCESS MORTALITY IN A POPULATION-BASED SERIES OF SUBJECTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objectives. To obtain information on the shortening of the life span a nd the causes of excess death in a population-based series of subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. The study included all 1666 subjects who had died in Finland in 1989 and were entitled under the n ationwide sickness insurance scheme to receive specially reimbursed me dication for RA. Demographic data on the Finnish population and sickne ss insurance statistics were used as the basis for computations. Resul ts. The life span in subjects with PA was shortened by 15-20% from the date of onset of illness. The determinants of excess mortality could be studied in females. About 40% of the excess deaths were due to card iovascular causes, 30% to infections, 15% to amyloidosis, and the rema ining 15% to diverse causes. Conclusion. This data provides an enlight ened basis for understanding mortality associated with RA.