Survival and cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis: a 25-year prospective followup

In a 25-year prospective followup of 209 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, median life expectancy was shortened by 7 years in males and by 3 years in females when compared with the general population. The surplus mortality was associated in decreasing order with the disease itself, associated respiratory, urogenital and general infections, and with upper gastrointestinal tract disease, mainly bleeding.