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. 2010 Aug;10(4):326-9.
doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.10-4-326.

How to reduce morbidity and mortality from chest infections in rheumatoid arthritis

M M Housden  1 , G Bell, C R Heycock, J Hamilton, V Saravanan, C A Kelly
Affiliations

How to reduce morbidity and mortality from chest infections in rheumatoid arthritis

M M Housden et al. Clin Med (Lond). 2010 Aug.

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.

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References

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