A chronic autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is marked by inflammation that takes a progressive toll on not only the joints, but also various organs and the whole body. RA sufferers, as many studies have shown, tend to face a high risk for early death, increasing with the severity of their symptoms. The most prevalent cause of death among RA patients is cardiovascular disease. As in the general population, classic factors such as age, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking have been implicated in the RA death rate. Little is known, however, about the specific influence of genetic factors on mortality. >>> Discuss This Story
