Table 1

Baseline characteristics of study participants

 Rheumatoid arthritisControls
n (%)n (%)
Women12 231 (70.6)48 924 (70.6)
Men5 089 (29.4)20 356 (29.4)
Total17 320 (100)69 280 (100)
Age, mean (SD)58.9 (14.4)58.9 (14.4)
Socioeconomic index, mean (SD)2.98 (1.41)3.02 (1.41)
β-blocker815 (4.7)2 956 (4.3)
Lipid lowering agent600 (3.5)2 713 (4.0)
RAS blocker1 148 (6.6)4 309 (6.2)
Loop diuretic659 (3.8)1 818 (2.6)
Spironolactone146 (0.8)357 (0.5)
Vitamin K antagonist208 (1.2)586 (0.9)
Clopidogrel24 (0.1)71 (0.1)
Aspirin677 (3.9)2 574 (3.7)
Thiazide1 111 (6.4)3 871 (5.6)
Calcium channel blocker632 (3.7)2 338 (3.4)
NSAID13480 (77.8)15 477 (22.3)
Gastroprotective agent3657 (21.1)7 119 (10.3)
Hypertension2 746 (15.9)10 317 (14.9)
Ischaemic heart disease832 (4.8)2 580 (3.7)
Heart failure336 (1.9)880 (1.3)
Atrial fibrillation488 (2.8)1 326 (1.9)
Diabetes868 (5.0)2 894 (4.2)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder775 (4.5)2 077 (3.0)
Chronic kidney disease106 (0.6)319 (0.5)
  • Values are absolute numbers (frequencies) unless otherwise indicated.

  • NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; RAS, renin–angiotensin system.