Background-Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with increased mortality
from cardiovascular causes and malignancy. The influence of disadvantage i
n patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who are known to have premature
mortality, has not been ascertained.
Aim-To assess the relation between the level of patient deprivation and mor
tality in RA patients.
Methods-200 RA patients, enrolled in a study comparing sulfasalazine and pe
nicillamine in 1984-85, have been followed up prospectively for 12 years. S
ubjects were categorised into Carstairs groups with deprivation scores rang
ing from 1 (most affluent) to 7 (most deprived). Information about deaths w
as obtained from the Registrar General in Scotland, death certificates and
GP/hospital records.
Results-There were more RA patients in the deprived areas then expected com
pared with the West of Scotland and England and Wales. Some 47.5% of the RA
patients had died by 12 years-the majority of cardiorespiratory causes or
malignancy. There were no differences in the median age or disease duration
in the various Carstairs groups at study entry, but the percentage of deat
hs was higher in the more deprived groups after 12 years (36% dead in most
affluent area compared with 61% in the most deprived, that is, in groups 6
and 7).
Conclusion-In patients with RA increasing deprivation was associated with p
remature mortality. If confirmed elsewhere these findings have implications
for rheumatological management strategies, for researchers involved in col
laborative studies of patients from different socioeconomic backgrounds and
for resource allocation.