title: Safe use of antirheumatic agents in patients with comorbidities.
abstract: The burden of comorbid diseases is high among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These are often systemic manifestations of RA but may be chronic conditions that predate or develop post-RA diagnosis. Increased mortality in RA is predominantly from nonarticular causes. The expanded armamentarium of disease-modifying drugs and biologics available has revolutionized management of articular disease but has made safe treatment of RA more complex. Drug-induced organ injury and side effects need to be kept in mind when initiating or modifying therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Ashima
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Makol
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Matteson
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents