Key clinical point: Compared with the general population, the risk for cancer was significantly higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD).
Major finding: The all-cancer risk was 20% higher in patients with RA than in the general population (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 1.20; 95% CI 1.17-1.23). The risk was particularly higher for solid cancers like bladder cancer (SIR 2.38; 95% CI 2.25-2.51), cervical cancer ( SIR 1.80; 95% CI 1.62-2.01), and lung cancer (SIR 1.41; 95% CI 1.36-1.46) and for hematological malignancies like Hodgkin’s lymphoma (SIR 2.73; 95% CI 2.31-3.23).
Study details: This population-based observational study included 257,074 patients with RA and without a history of cancer, who received DMARD and were compared with the general population.
Disclosures: This study was supported by unrestricted grants from the French National Cancer Institute and the Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris. Four authors declared receiving research grants, consulting fees, or support for meetings or travel from various sources.
Source: Beydon M et al. Risk of cancer for patients with rheumatoid arthritis versus general population: A national claims database cohort study. Lancet Reg Health Eur. 2023;35:100768 (Oct 29). doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100768