The Co-Morbidities and Mortality Rate among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients at the Western Region of Saudi Arabia A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

To evaluate the mortality rate in a well defined hospital; based patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis over a three year period and to investigate the causes of death with their associated risk factors. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted for rheumatoid arthritis patients over a three year period (2006-2008) at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah at the western region of Saudi Arabia. The causes of death and the associated co-morbidities were registered and compared statistically in relation to the mortality rate. Patients who fulfilled the criteria of the study were included (n = 116). The mortality rate was 16%. The most important causes of death and contributing factors were cardiovascular system diseases and infections (58%), followed by respiratory system diseases (47%) and renal impairment (32%). The most common co- morbidities were diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity (p < 0.001, 0.01, 0.03). This study gives important information of the variables associated with the mortality in rheumatoid arthritis and the associated factors which may accelerate the occurrence of an earlier death.