Association between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Meniere's Disease: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study Using a National Health Screening Cohort.

So Young Kim,Dae Myoung Yoo,Hyo Geun Choi,Ji Hee Kim,Mi Jung Kwon,Joo-Hee Kim

doi:10.3390/jcm10235694

So Young Kim, Dae Myoung Yoo + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10235694

Copy DOI

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the occurrence of Meniere’s disease (MD). The 2002–2015 Korean National Health Insurance Service—Health Screening Cohort data were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 3038 participants with RA were matched with 12,152 control participants for demographic factors. The occurrence of MD was evaluated in both the RA and control groups. The hazard ratios (HRs) of RA for participants with MD were calculated using a stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted. The rate of MD was not different between the RA and control groups (1.5% vs. 1.3%, standardized difference = 0.01). The HR was not higher in the RA group than in the MD group (adjusted HR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval = 0.73–1.44, p = 0.885). A higher HR of RA for participants with MD was found in the ≥60-year-old subgroup in the crude model but not in the adjusted model. An association between RA and MD was not found in any of the other subgroups. A previous history of RA was not related to an increased risk of MD.

Highlights

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that primarily involves the joints [1]
The rheumatoid arthritis (RA) group and control group had no significant difference in the rates of histories of benign paroxysmal vertigo (8.5% vs. 6.6%, standardized difference (SD) = 0.07), vestibular neuronitis (2.1% vs. 1.6%, SD = 0.04), or other peripheral vertigo (5.1% vs. 4.5%, SD = 0.03)
A history of RA was not associated with Meniere’s disease (MD) in either the crude model or the adjusted model (adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) = 1.03, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 0.73–1.44, p = 0.885, Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that primarily involves the joints [1]. The pathophysiology of RA is multifactorial and includes genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors [3,4]. Inflammation of the synovial space induces proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6, which proliferate in synovial cells or pannus and derange cartilage and bony structures [3]. According to the progression of RA, an increasing number of joints are affected by inflammatory changes and develop symptoms of pain and stiffness [4]. In addition to multijoint involvement, RA has been acknowledged to cause extra-articular manifestations, such as rheumatoid nodules and pulmonary, cardiac, and ocular manifestations [5]. The increased risk of falls and vertigo in patients with RA has been attributed to multijoint damage and systemic manifestations [6].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion