Rheumatoid Arthritis May Increase Risk for Loss of Kidney Function

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are more likely to develop reduced kidney function over time, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) appears to play a role. AnAJKD study of 813 patients with RA and 813 non-RA individuals found the 20-year cumulative incidence of reduced kidney function was higher in patients with RA compared with non-RA participants for eGFR below 60mL/min/1.73m² (25% vs. 20%), but not eGFR below 45mL/min/1.73m² (9% vs. 10%). In RA patients, those with CVD at baseline were 77% more likely to experience a drop in kidney function to below 60 mL/min/1.73m².