A NEW population-level study conducted in Western Australia has revealed distinct cancer incidence patterns and outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to the general population. The research, spanning 1985 to 2015, provides insights into the cancer risks and survival rates for this vulnerable group.
The study analyzed data from 14,041 RA patients and 33,785 matched controls, linking hospital records to cancer and mortality registries. Interestingly, RA patients had a lower overall cancer incidence rate (19.68 per 1,000 person-years) compared to controls (24.77 per 1,000 person-years), with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 0.79. However, certain cancers showed elevated risks among RA patients, including lung cancer (IRR 1.17) and hematological cancers (IRR 1.21). Other cancer types exhibited lower rates in RA patients.
Despite a lower overall cancer incidence, survival outcomes were concerning. Median survival after a cancer diagnosis was significantly shorter for RA patients (3.3 years) compared to controls (5.3 years). Mortality was higher across most cancer subtypes, underscoring the heightened vulnerability of RA patients once diagnosed with cancer.
These findings highlight the need for tailored cancer screening and management strategies for individuals with RA. While their overall cancer risk may be lower, the increased mortality rates signal a need for enhanced oncological and rheumatological care coordination to improve outcomes for this at-risk population.
Reference
Nossent J et al. Cancer incidence and outcome for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: a long-term population study in Western Australia. J Rheum. 2024;DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2024-0724.
Aleksandra Zurowska | AMJ
