Prevalence of Malignancies in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and their Association with Biologic Disease Modifier Antirheumatic Drugs (BDMARDs)

According to Statistics Canada 2012, Arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting 4.4 million Canadians and 101.504 people in Newfoundland. It is also the most common cause of disability between the ages of 40 and 70 years. People with chronic arthritis have several numbers of other coexisting conditions such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, obesity. Precancerous lesions and cancer are a significant part of these coexisting conditions. Many reports suggest that inflammatory arthritis is associated with an increased prevalence of malignancies. The risk of developing malignancy seems to increase with arthritis severity and they have also been associated with the chronic, systemic inflammatory nature of arthritis. In this study, we aim to examine the distribution of different types of cancer in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Newfoundland. We will also investigate the effect of these malignancies on a natural course of disease and their association with the disease severity and treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The study results might be helpful to physicians to recognize and treat malignancies at their early sta es to improve the patients’ pro nosis and quality of life.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gerry Mugford

Student:

Partner:

Nexus (St. John's, NL)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program: