In rheumatoid arthritis, the leading cause of death is:

In rheumatoid arthritis, the leading cause of death is:

• A. Sepsis
• B. Coronary Artery Disease
• C. Renal Failure
• D. Respiratory Failure

Answer: (B)

Chronic systemic inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis drives death mainly through cardiovascular disease. The ongoing inflammatory milieu accelerates atherosclerosis, causes endothelial dysfunction, and promotes plaque formation and instability. This increases risks of heart attacks and other coronary events, making coronary artery disease the leading cause of mortality in RA. While infections (sepsis) can occur, especially with immunosuppressive therapy, and renal or respiratory complications can be serious, they are not the top cause of death overall. Clinically, this means reducing RA inflammation, minimizing long-term steroid use, and aggressively managing cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, glucose, smoking, exercise) are crucial to improve survival in RA patients.

Chronic systemic inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis drives death mainly through cardiovascular disease. The ongoing inflammatory milieu accelerates atherosclerosis, causes endothelial dysfunction, and promotes plaque formation and instability. This increases risks of heart attacks and other coronary events, making coronary artery disease the leading cause of mortality in RA.

While infections (sepsis) can occur, especially with immunosuppressive therapy, and renal or respiratory complications can be serious, they are not the top cause of death overall. Clinically, this means reducing RA inflammation, minimizing long-term steroid use, and aggressively managing cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, glucose, smoking, exercise) are crucial to improve survival in RA patients.