Table 2

Association between RA and all-cause mortality according to time period

1999–20062007–2014
RA cohort
(n=10 126)
Non-RA cohort
(n=50 546)
RA cohort
(n=10 769)
Non-RA cohort
(n=53 749)
p for interaction
Mean follow-up (person-years)3.18±2.133.25±2.153.30±2.183.30±2.21
Deaths (n)93629686052293
Death rate/1000 PYs (95% CI)29.1 (27.2 to 30.1)18.0 (17.4 to 18.7)17.0 (15.7 to 18.4)12.9 (12.4–13.5)
Age-matched, sex-matched and entry year-matched rate ratio (95% CI)1.66 (1.54 to 1.79)1.00 (Ref)1.35 (1.23 to 1.48)1.00 (Ref)<0.01
Multivariable-adjusted rate ratio (95% CI)*1.56 (1.44 to 1.69)1.00 (Ref)1.29 (1.17 to 1.42)1.00 (Ref)<0.01
Age-matched, sex-matched and entry year-matched rate difference/1000 PYs (95% CI)11.0 (9.0 to 13.0)0.0 (Ref)4.1 (2.6 to 5.6)0.0 (Ref)<0.01
Multivariable-adjusted rate difference/1000 PYs (95% CI)*9.5 (7.5 to 11.6)0.0 (Ref)3.1 (1.5 to 4.6)0.0 (Ref)<0.01
  • *In addition to the matching variables, multivariable models were adjusted for the number of GP visits, BMI, smoking status (ie, non-smokers, ex-smokers and current smokers), alcohol consumption (ie, non-drinkers, ex-drinkers and current drinkers), comorbidities and medication use prior to the index date.

  • BMI, body mass index; GP, general practitioner; PY, person-year; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.