Background Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular diseases. Hispanics have higher mortality than other races.

Objectives To evaluate mortality and comorbidities in admissions to a Mexican hospital in the last 14 years.

Methods We evaluated all hospitalizations from January 2001 to July 2014 with diagnosis of RA or SLE according to the database of our hospital. All comorbidities were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Analysis was performed using R, version 3.1.2.

Results We evaluated 1121 hospitalizations, 581 (51.8%) RA, and 540 (48.2%) SLE; mean age of RA patients was 57.1 years, and for SLE patients 29.2 (p<0.0001). Comparing with SLE, patients with RA had higher frequency of diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), systemic hypertension, myocardial infarction, digestive hemorrhage and infections (Table 1). Mortality was similar in both groups.

Comorbidities associated with mortality (Figure 1) were CVD (odds ratio of 6.4, confidence interval (CI): 2.3-17.3), heart failure (OR 3.1, CI: 1.3-6.5), digestive hemorrhage (OR 3.5, CI: 1.7-6.9), and infections (OR 2.3, CI: 1.6-3.4). In the logistic regression model adjusted for age and disease (SLE or RA), the OR (CI) were: CVD 6.8 (CI: 2.7-17.5), heart failure 2.3 (1.1-4.9), digestive hemorrhage 3.7 (1.9-7.3) and infections 2.3 (1.6-3.5).

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Figure 1.

Comorbidities and mortality. Abbreviations: HT: systemic hypertension, MI: myocardial infarction, HF: heart failure, GIB: gastrointestinal bleeding, RF: renal failure.

Conclusions Even the higher frequency of comorbidities and age in RA patients, mortality was similar in SLE Mexican patients. Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases were associated with higher mortality.

Disclosure of Interest None declared