title: How to reduce morbidity and mortality from chest infections in rheumatoid arthritis.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Foundation Hospital Trust, Gateshead.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Housden
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Heycock
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saravanan
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D002955:Leucovorin; D011241:Prednisone