For a study, researchers sought to determine the mortality rates in hospitalized patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the relationship between EAMs, comorbidities, and death rates.

It was a retrospective, population-based cohort research that used linked administrative data from hospitalized patients with AS (n=1,791) and patients in a matched control group (n=8,955). The Western Australia Death Register was used to acquire patient mortality information. EAMs and comorbidities were discovered in hospital records. Overall and stratified by EAM history, comorbidities, and smoking status, mortality rates were compared between the two groups using Cox proportional hazard models.

Crude mortality in the AS group than among patients in the comparison group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.85, 95% CI 1.62–2.12) was associated with cardiovascular disease (HR 5.32, 95% CI 3.84-7.35), cancer (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.27-2.23), external causes (HR 3.92, 95% CI 2.28-6.77), and infectious diseases (HR 25.92, 95% CI 7.50-89.56). When patients were stratified by EAMs, CVD, and smoking history, the probability of death increased in individuals with and without each risk factor. History of CVD (HR 6.33, 95% CI 4.79-8.38), diabetes (HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.99-3.95), smoking (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.18-1.89), and EAMs (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.24-2.11) were all linked with an elevated risk of death in individuals with AS.

When compared to individuals in the comparison group, the presence of comorbidities, EAMs, and smoking increases the risk of all-cause death in patients with AS who are hospitalized. The findings highlighted the importance of preventing or reducing the onset of comorbidities and smoking in people with AS.

Reference: jrheum.org/content/49/7/688

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