Can rheumatoid arthritis be fatal. How does RA affect life expectancy. What are the main complications of rheumatoid arthritis. How can RA treatments improve prognosis.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Impact on Longevity

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the joints but can also impact other body systems. While RA itself is not directly fatal, it can lead to complications that may reduce life expectancy. A study conducted in Taiwan involving nearly 30,000 RA patients revealed an average life expectancy reduction of 4.97 years compared to the general population.

However, it’s crucial to understand that with proper management and treatment, many individuals with RA can maintain a life expectancy similar to those without the condition. The prognosis largely depends on various factors, including disease progression, age at diagnosis, and lifestyle choices.

Factors Influencing RA Prognosis

• Disease progression and severity
• Age at diagnosis (earlier diagnosis often leads to better outcomes)
• Sex (females are more likely to develop severe RA, but males have a higher risk of cardiovascular complications)
• Lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol consumption)
• Presence of other medical conditions

Is seropositive RA more severe than seronegative RA? Generally, individuals with seropositive RA face a higher risk of developing severe forms of the disease and are more prone to complications such as rheumatoid nodules and vasculitis. This underscores the importance of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment for seropositive patients.

Major Complications Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The systemic inflammation caused by RA can lead to various complications affecting different organs and systems in the body. Understanding these potential issues is crucial for comprehensive management of the condition.

Cardiovascular Complications

Heart disease is a significant concern for RA patients. How does RA affect the heart? The inflammatory nature of RA can damage arteries, heart muscles, and surrounding tissues. Pericarditis, or inflammation of the heart’s protective sac, is the most common cardiac complication in RA, affecting up to 10% of patients symptomatically.

Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, is more prevalent in RA patients. This plaque tends to be more unstable, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Some RA medications, particularly NSAIDs and corticosteroids, may exacerbate cardiovascular risks.

Respiratory Issues

RA can significantly impact the respiratory system. What lung problems are associated with rheumatoid arthritis? Common respiratory complications include:

• Interstitial lung disease
• Pleural effusion
• Rheumatoid nodules in the lungs
• Bronchiectasis

These conditions can lead to breathing difficulties and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, potentially impacting overall life expectancy.

Increased Infection Risk

Why are RA patients more prone to infections? The combination of the disease itself and certain RA treatments can compromise the immune system, making patients more susceptible to various infections. This increased vulnerability underscores the importance of preventive measures and prompt treatment of infections in RA patients.

Treatment Strategies and Their Impact on Prognosis

Effective management of RA has significantly improved in recent years, leading to better outcomes and reduced mortality rates. What are the key treatment approaches for rheumatoid arthritis?

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)

DMARDs form the cornerstone of RA treatment. How do DMARDs improve RA prognosis? These medications work by suppressing the immune system’s overactive response, thereby reducing inflammation and preventing joint damage. Early initiation of DMARD therapy is crucial for optimal outcomes.

Biologic Agents

Biologic drugs target specific components of the immune system involved in the inflammatory process. What advantages do biologics offer in RA treatment? They can provide more targeted therapy, often leading to better disease control and improved quality of life for patients who don’t respond adequately to traditional DMARDs.

Lifestyle Modifications

Alongside medication, lifestyle changes play a vital role in managing RA and improving overall health. What lifestyle adjustments can benefit RA patients?

• Regular exercise and physical therapy
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Following an anti-inflammatory diet
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques

Monitoring and Managing RA-Related Complications

Regular monitoring is essential for early detection and management of RA-related complications. How often should RA patients undergo check-ups? Typically, rheumatologists recommend regular follow-ups every 3-6 months, with more frequent visits during disease flares or treatment adjustments.

Cardiovascular Health Monitoring

Given the increased risk of heart disease, what cardiovascular screenings are important for RA patients? Regular assessments should include:

• Blood pressure checks
• Lipid profile tests
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs)
• Echocardiograms when indicated

Pulmonary Function Assessments

How can RA patients monitor their lung health? Periodic pulmonary function tests and chest X-rays can help detect early signs of respiratory complications. Patients should promptly report any breathing difficulties to their healthcare provider.

Emerging Treatments and Future Prospects

The field of rheumatology is constantly evolving, with new treatments offering hope for better disease control and improved quality of life. What innovative therapies are on the horizon for RA?

JAK Inhibitors

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors represent a newer class of targeted therapies for RA. How do JAK inhibitors differ from traditional DMARDs? These oral medications work by blocking specific pathways involved in the inflammatory process, offering an alternative for patients who don’t respond well to other treatments.

Personalized Medicine Approaches

The future of RA treatment lies in personalized medicine. What does personalized medicine mean for RA patients? This approach involves tailoring treatments based on an individual’s genetic makeup, biomarkers, and disease characteristics, potentially leading to more effective and targeted therapies with fewer side effects.

Living Well with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Despite the challenges posed by RA, many individuals lead fulfilling lives with the condition. What strategies can help RA patients maintain a good quality of life?

Emotional and Mental Health Support

The chronic nature of RA can take a toll on mental health. How can RA patients address the emotional aspects of their condition? Seeking support through therapy, support groups, or mindfulness practices can be beneficial. Many patients find that connecting with others who have RA provides valuable emotional support and practical coping strategies.

Occupational and Physical Therapy

How can therapy help RA patients in daily life? Occupational and physical therapists can provide valuable guidance on joint protection techniques, ergonomic adjustments, and exercises to maintain flexibility and strength. These interventions can significantly improve functional capacity and quality of life.

Navigating Healthcare and Insurance for RA Management

Effective management of RA often requires coordinated care from multiple healthcare providers. How can patients optimize their RA care? Building a strong relationship with a rheumatologist is crucial, but it’s also important to have a primary care physician who can coordinate overall health management and address comorbidities.

Understanding Insurance Coverage

Navigating insurance coverage for RA treatments can be challenging. What should patients know about insurance for RA care? It’s important to understand your policy’s coverage for specialist visits, medications (especially biologics), and potential need for physical or occupational therapy. Many pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs for expensive medications, which can be a valuable resource for those facing high out-of-pocket costs.

Advocating for Your Care

Being an active participant in your healthcare is crucial. How can RA patients effectively advocate for themselves? Keep detailed records of symptoms, treatments, and their effects. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about treatment options, potential side effects, and alternative approaches. If you feel your current treatment plan isn’t adequately controlling your symptoms, discuss this openly with your healthcare provider.

Living with rheumatoid arthritis presents unique challenges, but with advances in treatment and a comprehensive approach to care, many patients can maintain a good quality of life and manage their condition effectively. While RA may impact life expectancy, early diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and vigilant monitoring of potential complications can significantly improve outcomes. By staying informed, adhering to treatment plans, and actively participating in their care, individuals with RA can look forward to fulfilling lives and continued improvements in managing this chronic condition.

Can you die from rheumatoid arthritis? Lifespan and outlook

A person cannot die from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, RA can increase the risk of developing complications, such as heart disease. Some of these can be life threatening.

RA is a chronic medical condition that involves increased levels of inflammation in tissues throughout the body.

The condition can make a person more likely to develop health complications affecting the heart and lungs. The risk of complications depends on a range of factors, including age, disease progression, and a person’s lifestyle.

There is currently no cure for RA. However, effective treatment can slow down or stop the condition’s progression and help prevent complications. Treatments work best when a person starts them early in the disease progression.

In this article, we look at how RA may affect a person’s lifespan.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

Was this helpful?

A person cannot die from RA. However, people with RA typically have a slightly reduced life expectancy. A study of almost 30,000 people with RA in Taiwan found that people with the condition have an average life expectancy reduction of 4.97 years.

However, with the correct management, many people with RA can have the same life expectancy as those without it.

People with seropositive RA are at a greater risk of developing severe forms of RA than those with seronegative RA. They also have a higher risk of developing physical complications such as rheumatoid nodules and vasculitis.

Widespread inflammation from RA can increase a person’s risk of developing other life threatening complications.

Share on PinterestThomas Stockhausen/Getty Images

RA causes inflammation throughout the body that, over time, can damage organ tissues. Having RA-related complications can affect a person’s lifespan.

Existing conditions

Findings of a 2017 study indicate that the following are more likely to cause death in people with RA than in the general population:

• cardiovascular disease
• respiratory disease
• infection
• musculoskeletal conditions

People with RA may be more likely to develop infections because of reduced immune system function. Some medications prescribed to treat RA can also increase the risk of infection.

Other risk factors

It is difficult to predict how complications of RA may affect a person’s lifespan. This is because their risk and severity depend on a wide range of factors.

Factors can include:

• RA progression
• sex, with females being more likely to develop severe RA, though males with and without RA have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease
• age at diagnosis, with early diagnosis improving a person’s outlook
• lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking alcohol

Authors of a 2018 study report that overall mortality rates among people with RA have decreased in recent years. This may be at least partially due to improved treatment methods.

Medications such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics can reduce the risk of RA-related complications.

Learn more about DMARDs and biologics here.

As RA progresses, long lasting or frequently occurring inflammation in the joints can lead to permanent joint damage. This can affect the cervical spine joints in the neck and may cause nodules to form under the skin.

RA can also increase the risk of certain health conditions. The following sections discuss three main complications: heart disease, respiratory problems, and infection.

Heart disease

RA can cause inflammation and damage to the arteries, the heart muscles, or tissues surrounding the heart.

Pericarditis, which is inflammation of the pericardium (the pouch surrounding the heart) and fluid buildup in this pouch, may be significant factors. Pericarditis is the most common cardiac complication of RA, though people rarely experience symptoms. Fewer than 10% of people with RA have symptomatic pericarditis.

While pericarditis is rarely a serious complication, any symptoms affecting the pericardium can be life threatening.

People with RA are also much more likely to develop atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of plaque in the arteries. In a person with RA, this plaque is more likely to be brittle and break away, leading to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Some RA medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, may also increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Other medications, including JAK inhibitors, can increase the risk of other major cardiac events.

The Arthritis Foundation notes that RA increases the risk of several other heart complications, including:

• a nearly doubled risk of ischemic stroke
• a tripled risk of deep vein thrombosis, which refers to blood clots in the legs
• a more than quadrupled risk of a life threatening pulmonary embolism

Respiratory disease

According to the Arthritis Foundation, beyond complications that affect the joints, people with RA are most likely to experience complications involving the lungs.

RA increases the risk of respiratory issues, such as:

• nodules in the lungs
• pleural effusion
• bronchiectasis
• interstitial lung disease

The rate of interstitial lung disease is eight times higher in people with RA. It occurs when excessive inflammation from an overactive immune system causes scarring in lung tissue. This can make breathing difficult or impossible, and a person could eventually need a lung transplant.

People with RA may also have a higher risk of developing blockages in the small airways of the lungs. Sometimes, RA medications can also cause adverse reactions in the lungs and lung lining.

Infection

People with autoimmune conditions such as RA are more susceptible to potentially serious and even fatal infections.

In people with RA, it is still unclear whether this susceptibility results from the condition or a side effect of RA medications, including biologics and steroids.

Vaccinations, such as the COVID-19, flu, and pneumococcal vaccines, can help prevent some infections associated with RA.

For more advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub.

Was this helpful?

Other complications

Other complications from RA include:

• inflammation in the eye
• osteoporosis
• anemia
• type 2 diabetes
• rheumatoid vasculitis
• lymphoma
• chronic kidney disease
• depression

Learn more about the effects of RA on the body here.

Most people with RA can lead a full and active life. It is important for a person to follow a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risks of other illnesses associated with RA.

There is no cure for RA. Treatments aim to slow the progression of the condition and manage symptoms such as inflammation and pain.

An effective treatment plan can help prevent complications of RA. Some home remedies may also help manage RA symptoms and protect against complications.

Doctors may recommend that people with RA make changes to their diet and lifestyle, such as:

• quitting smoking
• doing regular low impact exercises, such as swimming and light muscle training
• eating a balanced diet and avoiding processed foods
• going to counseling or engaging with a support group
• taking plenty of time to rest throughout the day

People with RA should work directly with a doctor to create and adapt their treatment plan.

Regular appointments with a rheumatologist may also help. The specialist can monitor the progression of the disease and recommend any necessary treatment changes.

Complementary therapies — such as massage, meditation, and acupuncture — may also benefit people with the condition. Results can vary, so it may help to try a few different techniques.

Following an anti-inflammatory diet for RA can also help.

Learn about 11 home remedies for RA here.

RA is a chronic condition with no known cure. People do not die from RA. However, it can lead to serious complications that can compromise overall health.

A person with RA may have a reduced life expectancy. However, the condition affects each person differently, and it can be difficult for doctors to predict an individual’s outlook.

Receiving treatment and making recommended lifestyle changes early on can help manage symptoms and improve a person’s outlook.

A person with RA should work directly with a doctor and rheumatologist to set and modify treatments. Doing this can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

Can you die from rheumatoid arthritis? Lifespan and outlook

A person cannot die from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, RA can increase the risk of developing complications, such as heart disease. Some of these can be life threatening.

RA is a chronic medical condition that involves increased levels of inflammation in tissues throughout the body.

The condition can make a person more likely to develop health complications affecting the heart and lungs. The risk of complications depends on a range of factors, including age, disease progression, and a person’s lifestyle.

There is currently no cure for RA. However, effective treatment can slow down or stop the condition’s progression and help prevent complications. Treatments work best when a person starts them early in the disease progression.

In this article, we look at how RA may affect a person’s lifespan.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

Was this helpful?

A person cannot die from RA. However, people with RA typically have a slightly reduced life expectancy. A study of almost 30,000 people with RA in Taiwan found that people with the condition have an average life expectancy reduction of 4.97 years.

However, with the correct management, many people with RA can have the same life expectancy as those without it.

People with seropositive RA are at a greater risk of developing severe forms of RA than those with seronegative RA. They also have a higher risk of developing physical complications such as rheumatoid nodules and vasculitis.

Widespread inflammation from RA can increase a person’s risk of developing other life threatening complications.

Share on PinterestThomas Stockhausen/Getty Images

RA causes inflammation throughout the body that, over time, can damage organ tissues. Having RA-related complications can affect a person’s lifespan.

Existing conditions

Findings of a 2017 study indicate that the following are more likely to cause death in people with RA than in the general population:

• cardiovascular disease
• respiratory disease
• infection
• musculoskeletal conditions

People with RA may be more likely to develop infections because of reduced immune system function. Some medications prescribed to treat RA can also increase the risk of infection.

Other risk factors

It is difficult to predict how complications of RA may affect a person’s lifespan. This is because their risk and severity depend on a wide range of factors.

Factors can include:

• RA progression
• sex, with females being more likely to develop severe RA, though males with and without RA have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease
• age at diagnosis, with early diagnosis improving a person’s outlook
• lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking alcohol

Authors of a 2018 study report that overall mortality rates among people with RA have decreased in recent years. This may be at least partially due to improved treatment methods.

Medications such as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics can reduce the risk of RA-related complications.

Learn more about DMARDs and biologics here.

As RA progresses, long lasting or frequently occurring inflammation in the joints can lead to permanent joint damage. This can affect the cervical spine joints in the neck and may cause nodules to form under the skin.

RA can also increase the risk of certain health conditions. The following sections discuss three main complications: heart disease, respiratory problems, and infection.

Heart disease

RA can cause inflammation and damage to the arteries, the heart muscles, or tissues surrounding the heart.

Pericarditis, which is inflammation of the pericardium (the pouch surrounding the heart) and fluid buildup in this pouch, may be significant factors. Pericarditis is the most common cardiac complication of RA, though people rarely experience symptoms. Fewer than 10% of people with RA have symptomatic pericarditis.

While pericarditis is rarely a serious complication, any symptoms affecting the pericardium can be life threatening.

People with RA are also much more likely to develop atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of plaque in the arteries. In a person with RA, this plaque is more likely to be brittle and break away, leading to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

Some RA medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, may also increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Other medications, including JAK inhibitors, can increase the risk of other major cardiac events.

The Arthritis Foundation notes that RA increases the risk of several other heart complications, including:

• a nearly doubled risk of ischemic stroke
• a tripled risk of deep vein thrombosis, which refers to blood clots in the legs
• a more than quadrupled risk of a life threatening pulmonary embolism

Respiratory disease

According to the Arthritis Foundation, beyond complications that affect the joints, people with RA are most likely to experience complications involving the lungs.

RA increases the risk of respiratory issues, such as:

• nodules in the lungs
• pleural effusion
• bronchiectasis
• interstitial lung disease

The rate of interstitial lung disease is eight times higher in people with RA. It occurs when excessive inflammation from an overactive immune system causes scarring in lung tissue. This can make breathing difficult or impossible, and a person could eventually need a lung transplant.

People with RA may also have a higher risk of developing blockages in the small airways of the lungs. Sometimes, RA medications can also cause adverse reactions in the lungs and lung lining.

Infection

People with autoimmune conditions such as RA are more susceptible to potentially serious and even fatal infections.

In people with RA, it is still unclear whether this susceptibility results from the condition or a side effect of RA medications, including biologics and steroids.

Vaccinations, such as the COVID-19, flu, and pneumococcal vaccines, can help prevent some infections associated with RA.

For more advice on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, visit our coronavirus hub.

Was this helpful?

Other complications

Other complications from RA include:

• inflammation in the eye
• osteoporosis
• anemia
• type 2 diabetes
• rheumatoid vasculitis
• lymphoma
• chronic kidney disease
• depression

Learn more about the effects of RA on the body here.

Most people with RA can lead a full and active life. It is important for a person to follow a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risks of other illnesses associated with RA.

There is no cure for RA. Treatments aim to slow the progression of the condition and manage symptoms such as inflammation and pain.

An effective treatment plan can help prevent complications of RA. Some home remedies may also help manage RA symptoms and protect against complications.

Doctors may recommend that people with RA make changes to their diet and lifestyle, such as:

• quitting smoking
• doing regular low impact exercises, such as swimming and light muscle training
• eating a balanced diet and avoiding processed foods
• going to counseling or engaging with a support group
• taking plenty of time to rest throughout the day

People with RA should work directly with a doctor to create and adapt their treatment plan.

Regular appointments with a rheumatologist may also help. The specialist can monitor the progression of the disease and recommend any necessary treatment changes.

Complementary therapies — such as massage, meditation, and acupuncture — may also benefit people with the condition. Results can vary, so it may help to try a few different techniques.

Following an anti-inflammatory diet for RA can also help.

Learn about 11 home remedies for RA here.

RA is a chronic condition with no known cure. People do not die from RA. However, it can lead to serious complications that can compromise overall health.

A person with RA may have a reduced life expectancy. However, the condition affects each person differently, and it can be difficult for doctors to predict an individual’s outlook.

Receiving treatment and making recommended lifestyle changes early on can help manage symptoms and improve a person’s outlook.

A person with RA should work directly with a doctor and rheumatologist to set and modify treatments. Doing this can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

Moscow Exchange introduced a trading terminal for the Russian market

The Trade Radar terminal is designed for various categories of users. Subsequently, its functionality will be expanded and will allow you to make transactions with various assets, as well as process exchange data with high quality

Photo: Mikhail Grebenshchikov / RBC

Moskovskaya
exchange
presented a trading terminal of its own design “Trade Radar” at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2023). In the near future, investors will have access to the beta version, and before the end of the year — to the full version of the product.

During the presentation, the head of the trading platform, Yuri Denisov, said that the product is designed for different categories of users, RBC Investment correspondent reported. The terminal consists of two parts – informational and trading.

Screenshot of the trading terminal of the Moscow Exchange “Trade Radar”

(Photo: Moscow Exchange)

adv. rbc.ru

Informational is based on current real-time quotes, as well as historical data for all trading sections of the Moscow Exchange. In addition, the terminal contains a calendar of events, the news feed of the Prime agency, reference data and data on corporate actions. Analytical tools – visualization, technical analysis – will allow you to process this information.

The trading part allows you to negotiate deals through a secure multimodal chat, which is both built into the system itself and provided as a separate application on mobile devices. Thanks to the trading part, investors will be able to conclude deals on the OTC market, and market makers will be able to track indicative asset prices.

Screenshot of the trading terminal of the Moscow Exchange “Trade Radar”

(Photo: Mosbirzha)

The terminal has the ability to integrate with external systems of post-trading services, information analysis, and trading decision making. The guarantee of security and safety of personal data is provided by the Moscow Exchange, which administers the service.

In the final version, Trade Radar will have a wide range of data processing and visualization functions. “In the future, the terminal will allow Russian and foreign companies in the financial and other sectors, as well as ministries and departments, to receive comprehensive data on the state of the Russian financial market, exchange information, news flows, company reporting, use analytical tools and make trading operations with various assets,” it says. in the site message.

In the spring of 2022, the Bloomberg trading terminal was suspended in Russia and Belarus. “Customers in the two countries will not be able to access any of Bloomberg’s financial products, including the terminal, data license, data feed, and electronic trading platforms,” ​​the agency said in a statement. Also, Russian users do not have access to a product that is a direct competitor to Bloomberg – Eikon from Thompson Reuters.

A regulated market where sellers and buyers meet, trading in various assets: stocks, bonds, currencies, futures, commodities. Everyone can become a participant in trading on the stock exchange – for this you need to open a brokerage account. Each transaction is concluded at a market price, is completed almost instantly, and is also registered and controlled.
Read more

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