Management for comorbidities associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Both the general practitioner and specialist can monitor patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for associated comorbidities, but the general practitioner may be better placed to manage them long term.

Common comorbidities associated with RA include:

• atherosclerosis—systemic inflammation is the main contributor to the increased risk of developing atherosclerosis in patients with RA, but all other risk factors for cardiovascular disease should be actively managed
• osteoporosis (OP)—active RA is a risk factor for OP, as are inactivity and immobility, and corticosteroid drugs
• depression is common in patients with RA, and may be associated with chronic pain, functional limitation, sleep disturbance and fatigue.