A meta-analysis of the incidence of malignancy in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The risk of malignancies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has raised some concern, particularly with immunosuppressive approaches to disease management.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis characterizing the associated risk of overall malignancy and four site-specific malignancies (lymphoma, lung, colorectal, and breast cancer) in patients with RA. A Medline search from 1990 to 2007 was conducted using specified search terms and predefined inclusion criteria for identification of relevant observational studies that provide estimates of relative risk of malignancy associated with RA. Study-specific estimates of the relative risk, as measured by standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and estimated in comparison with

SUBMITTER: Smitten AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2453765 | biostudies-literature | 2008

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature