How to reduce morbidity and mortality from chest infections in rheumatoid arthritis
- 1 August 2010
- journal article
- Published by Elsevier BV in Clinical Medicine
- Vol. 10 (4), 326-329
- https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.10-4-326
Abstract
Morbidity and mortality from pneumonia is increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Factors contributing to this have been recently identified and a number of recommendations have been implemented in an attempt to reverse this trend. The present paper shows that these measures have combined to produce a fourfold reduction in both admissions and case fatality rates. In the study population, immunisation rates against influenza and pneumococcus have improved to 86% and 65%, oral steroid consumption has halved and disease modifying drugs were usually appropriately suspended during acute infection. These measures may now merit more widespread adoption.Keywords
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