Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Initiating Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs

The absolute risk for venous thromboembolism was low in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Initiation of a biologic DMARD seems to be associated with an increased short-term risk of hospitalization for venous thromboembolism compared with initiation of a nonbiologic DMARD or methotrexate.