Table 3 Types of comorbidities and its relation to inflammatory arthritis
Type of comorbidity | Relation to RA | Example |
|---|---|---|
Type I | No relationship | Trauma & certain cancers |
Type II | Comorbidity increases arthritis outcome | Depression |
Type III | Arthritis outcome increases comorbidity | GIT ulceration & HZ |
Type IV | Arthritis causes (at least in part) the comorbidity | Myocardial infarction & lymphoma |
Type V | Arthritis treatment causes or contributes to comorbidity | Steroids and infection |
Type VI | A common condition leads both to arthritis and the comorbidity | Smoking, RA and lung cancer |