风湿性关节炎并不影响寿命
http://www.100md.com
2001年1月8日
路透社纽约健康消息-荷兰奈梅亨(Nijmegen)大学医学中心研究员克鲁特博士(Dr. E. J. A. Kroot)的研究发现，风湿性关节炎患者的寿命与没有患此病的人的寿命相差并不大。这一发现与传统认为风湿性关节炎会增加死亡危险的观点正好相反。
克鲁特博士对622名风湿性关节炎患者进行了为期10年的观察，其中有55人在研究期间死亡。这些患者的平均死亡年龄在73岁，而且从总体人口死亡率来看，被研究群体的死亡率并不比没有患风湿性关节炎的人高。最常见的死亡原因是心血管疾病，如心脏病和中风。
风湿性关节炎是一种免疫系统疾病，主要侵犯关节的内膜，引起疼痛、关节僵硬和炎症，最终导致关节破坏和残废。多见于女性患者，早的可以在30至40岁就被诊断。过去曾有一些研究发现这种病可能会缩短寿命，原因可能是感染或治疗药物引起的胃肠道副反应。
克鲁特博士认为，实验中看到的正常的死亡率可能是因为病人接受了比较好的药物治疗，这种在20世纪80年代以来就开始采用的积极性治疗策略已经得到广泛运用，不仅对疾病发展起到了良好的控制，而且带来了一个更好的远期疗效。
, http://www.100md.com
但是，也存在其它的一些可能的解释。比如，风湿性关节炎患者比以前更频繁地去医院检查，这也说明了他们对自己其他的疾病有了更好地预防。
Rheumatoid Arthritis Does Not Shorten Life Span
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis are at no greater risk of dying within a certain time period than their same-age peers without the autoimmune disease, researchers report.
``This finding is in contrast with the general belief that rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased death rate,‘‘ according to Dr. E. J. A. Kroot of the University Medical Centre of Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and colleagues.
, http://www.100md.com
In a new study, the researchers looked at 622 people with rheumatoid arthritis, including 55 people who died during the 10-year study.
The average age of patients who died was 73 and the mortality rate--from life tables of the general population--indicated that the death rate was no higher than that of people without the disease. The most common cause of death was cardiovascular, such as heart disease or stroke.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of joints, causing pain, stiffness and inflammation. The disease can ultimately cause joint destruction and disability. The condition is more common in women than in men and can be diagnosed in people in their 30s and 40s.
, http://www.100md.com
Some studies have suggested that the disease might shorten life span, possibly due to a higher risk of infection or gastrointestinal problems, which are side effects of the drugs used to treat the condition.
Kroot speculated that the normal death rate seen in the study may be due to better drug treatments that are now available.
The researchers ``suggest that the aggressive therapeutic strategies introduced since the 1980s have not only resulted in an improved disease course but also in a better long-term outcome.‘‘
However, there are other possible explanations. For example, more frequent visits to the doctor may mean that patients with rheumatoid arthritis get better preventive care for other ailments, the authors conclude.
《家庭医生医疗保健网》, http://www.100md.com
克鲁特博士对622名风湿性关节炎患者进行了为期10年的观察，其中有55人在研究期间死亡。这些患者的平均死亡年龄在73岁，而且从总体人口死亡率来看，被研究群体的死亡率并不比没有患风湿性关节炎的人高。最常见的死亡原因是心血管疾病，如心脏病和中风。
风湿性关节炎是一种免疫系统疾病，主要侵犯关节的内膜，引起疼痛、关节僵硬和炎症，最终导致关节破坏和残废。多见于女性患者，早的可以在30至40岁就被诊断。过去曾有一些研究发现这种病可能会缩短寿命，原因可能是感染或治疗药物引起的胃肠道副反应。
克鲁特博士认为，实验中看到的正常的死亡率可能是因为病人接受了比较好的药物治疗，这种在20世纪80年代以来就开始采用的积极性治疗策略已经得到广泛运用，不仅对疾病发展起到了良好的控制，而且带来了一个更好的远期疗效。
, http://www.100md.com
但是，也存在其它的一些可能的解释。比如，风湿性关节炎患者比以前更频繁地去医院检查，这也说明了他们对自己其他的疾病有了更好地预防。
Rheumatoid Arthritis Does Not Shorten Life Span
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis are at no greater risk of dying within a certain time period than their same-age peers without the autoimmune disease, researchers report.
``This finding is in contrast with the general belief that rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased death rate,‘‘ according to Dr. E. J. A. Kroot of the University Medical Centre of Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and colleagues.
, http://www.100md.com
In a new study, the researchers looked at 622 people with rheumatoid arthritis, including 55 people who died during the 10-year study.
The average age of patients who died was 73 and the mortality rate--from life tables of the general population--indicated that the death rate was no higher than that of people without the disease. The most common cause of death was cardiovascular, such as heart disease or stroke.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of joints, causing pain, stiffness and inflammation. The disease can ultimately cause joint destruction and disability. The condition is more common in women than in men and can be diagnosed in people in their 30s and 40s.
, http://www.100md.com
Some studies have suggested that the disease might shorten life span, possibly due to a higher risk of infection or gastrointestinal problems, which are side effects of the drugs used to treat the condition.
Kroot speculated that the normal death rate seen in the study may be due to better drug treatments that are now available.
The researchers ``suggest that the aggressive therapeutic strategies introduced since the 1980s have not only resulted in an improved disease course but also in a better long-term outcome.‘‘
However, there are other possible explanations. For example, more frequent visits to the doctor may mean that patients with rheumatoid arthritis get better preventive care for other ailments, the authors conclude.
《家庭医生医疗保健网》, http://www.100md.com