How to reduce morbidity and mortality from chest infections in rheumatoid arthritis.
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.
Housden
M M
MM
Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Foundation Hospital Trust, Gateshead.
Bell
G
G
Heycock
C R
CR
Hamilton
J
J
Saravanan
V
V
Kelly
C A
CA
D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000639:trends; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality*; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D002955:Leucovorin; D011241:Prednisone