Table 2

Incidence rates of cardiovascular events by medication exposure

MITIA/strokeCardiovascular-related deathComposite cardiovascular events*
EventPerson years of exposureIncidence rate (95% CI)EventPerson years of exposureIncidence rate (95% CI)EventPerson years of exposureIncidence rate (95% CI)EventPerson years of exposureIncidence rate (95% CI)
Non-biological DMARDs52.2722.20 (0.27 to 4.13)82.2873.53 (1.09 to 5.97)42.2641.77 (0.04 to 3.50)172.2647.51 (3.95 to 11.07)
Methotrexate177.1532.38 (1.26 to 3.51)237.1433.22 (1.91 to 4.53)87.1321.12 (0.35 to 1.90)487.1326.73 (4.83 to 8.63)
TNF antagonist47.8530.51 (0.01 to 1.01)147.8411.79 (0.85, 2.72)57.8371.02 (0.31 to 1.73)237.8372.93 (1.74 to 4.13)
  • Incidence rates expressed per 1000 patient years of exposure.

  • * Composite includes myocardial infarction (MI), transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/stroke and cardiovascular-related deaths.

  • DMARDs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; TNF, tumour necrosis factor.