Mortality in Psoriatic Arthritis Save

The Annals of Rheumatic Disease reports that mortality risk in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is about 10% higher than in the general population, primarily from excess comorbidity and with increased risks in women, with longer disease durations.

This nationwide Swedish study identified >33,000 PsA patients (followed up to 12 years), drawn from outpatient rheumatology/internal medicine departments and the National Patient Register. Each PsA patient was matched to five population comparators. Outcomes and death rates were assessed.

PsA patients demonstrated a significantly higher rate of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.16), compared to controls. This risk was greater in women (HR: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.30)) and those with a longer disease duration (HR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12 to 1.25)). All age groups above 40 years were at increased risk, with the highest point-estimates for ages 40–59 years. 

Most of this risk was related to comorbidity, as after adjusting for comorbidity, the elevated mortality risk in PsA disappeared. 

Primary causes of death were similar between PsA  and comparators, with cardiovascular disease and malignancy as the leading causes.