Risk of Mortality, Fatal Infection, and Fatal Malignancy Related to Use of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Biologics by Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

The all-cause mortality rate in RA patients treated with anti-TNF biologics was lower than in previous studies in similar non-US populations, but comparable to mortality rates in the US general population. Fatal infection and fatal malignancy rates were similar across anti-TNF biologic groups. Further studies, designed to detect risk differences associated with anti-TNF biologic use and baseline risk factors, would provide additional information.