Frequency of infection among patients with rheumatoid arthritis versus patients with osteoarthritis or soft tissue rheumatism

Abstract

We compared the frequencies and types of infections that occurred in 448 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) versus those occurring in 185 control patients who had osteoarthritis or soft tissue rheumatism. At least 1 infection developed in 23% of the RA patients and in 27% of the control patients. Using a series of risk factors, we found no substantial difference in the risk of infection in RA patients compared with that in control patients. Some of these factors, such as being female, having poor functional capacity, and receiving glucocorticoid treatment, were associated with different levels of risk for infection, but the levels were similar in RA patients and control patients.Compared with the general population, the life expectancy of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were seen in a referral center in The Netherlands was found to be shorter, and the surplus mortality was associated with, among other things, the occurrence of infections (1). It has been reported that RA patients From the

Infection rate and use of antibiotics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate.

“…None of the patients had Felty's syndrome, 65 and neither neutropenia nor lymphopenia was 23 found during the study. 1 In the MTX group functional class and 43 mobility scores were significantly higher (that 49 is, worse) than in the control group (table 1). 17…”

Infectious arthritis complicating rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic rheumatic disorders

“…However, a recent study found no difference in the frequency or type of infection in RA patients compared with patients with osteoarthritis (04) or soft tissue rheumatism (14). RA patients who had been receiving corticosteroids did have a higher incidence of infection.…”

Vaccination and Rheumatic Diseases: Is There Still a Dilemma?

“…Furthermore, the severity of the disease itself has been shown to correlate with the infection rate [70]. Several other factors such as skin lesions, invasive investigations and immobility due to the damage of the articular surface, may favour articular and cutaneous infections [71]. Finally, glucocorticoid therapy may contribute to the development of infections, while controversial results are reported about the influence of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) [71].…”

“…Several other factors such as skin lesions, invasive investigations and immobility due to the damage of the articular surface, may favour articular and cutaneous infections [71]. Finally, glucocorticoid therapy may contribute to the development of infections, while controversial results are reported about the influence of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) [71]. With regard to VPDs, it is well known that RA patients have an increased mortality due to infectious respiratory diseases.…”