ORs for the risk of HZ according to anti-rheumatic medication used in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
| HZ case (n=275) | Control (n=1100) | Crude OR (95% CI) | p Value | Adjusted* OR (95% CI) | p Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSAID | ||||||
| Non-current use | 63 (22.9%) | 554 (50.4%) | 1.0 (ref.) | 1.0 (ref.) | ||
| Current use | 212 (77.1%) | 546 (49.6%) | 3.41 (2.52 to 4.63) | <0.001 | 1.28 (0.89 to 1.84) | 0.18 |
| Methotrexate | ||||||
| Non-current use | 127 (46.2%) | 884 (80.4%) | 1.0 (ref.) | 1.0 (ref.) | ||
| Current use | 148 (53.8%) | 216 (19.6%) | 4.77 (3.61 to 6.31) | <0.001 | 1.98 (1.43 to 2.76) | <0.001 |
| Hydroxychloroquine | ||||||
| Non-current use | 70 (25.5%) | 665 (60.5%) | 1.0 (ref.) | 1.0 (ref.) | ||
| Current use | 205 (74.5%) | 435 (39.5%) | 4.48 (3.33 to 6.03) | <0.001 | 1.95 (1.39 to 2.73) | <0.001 |
| Sulfasalazine | ||||||
| Non-current use | 140 (50.9%) | 890 (80.9%) | 1.0 (ref.) | 1.0 (ref.) | ||
| Current use | 135 (49.1%) | 210 (19.1%) | 4.09 (3.09 to 5.41) | <0.001 | 1.75 (1.27 to 2.43) | <0.001 |
| Leflunomide | ||||||
| Non-current use | 262 (95.3%) | 1076 (97.8%) | 1.0 (ref.) | 1.0 (ref.) | ||
| Current use | 13 (4.7%) | 24 (2.2%) | 2.22 (1.12 to 4.43) | 0.02 | 1.12 (0.54 to 2.32) | 0.76 |
| Corticosteroids | ||||||
| None | 33 (12.0%) | 650 (59.1%) | 1.0 (ref.) | 1.0 (ref.) | ||
| <5 mg/day | 61 (22.2%) | 148 (13.5%) | 8.12 (5.13 to 12.86) | <0.001 | 1.28 (1.17 to 1.47) | <0.001 |
| 5 to <10 mg/day | 151 (54.9%) | 263 (23.9%) | 11.31 (7.56 to 16.92) | <0.001 | 1.73 (1.34 to 2.32) | <0.001 |
| ≥10 mg/day | 30 (10.9%) | 39 (3.5%) | 15.15 (8.39 to 27.35) | <0.001 | 2.30 (1.25 to 4.22) | 0.01 |
| ptrend | <0.001 | <0.001 | ||||
| Anti-TNF biologicals† | ||||||
| Non-current use | 220 (80.0%) | 1032 (93.8%) | 1.0 (ref.) | 1.0 (ref.) | ||
| Current use | 55 (20.0%) | 68 (6.2%) | 3.79 (2.58 to 5.57) | <0.001 | 2.07 (1.34 to 3.19) | 0.001 |
| Non-anti-TNF biologicals‡ | ||||||
| Non-current use | 260 (94.5%) | 1058 (96.2%) | 1.0 (ref.) | 1.0 (ref.) | ||
| Current use | 15 (5.5%) | 42 (3.8%) | 1.45 (0.79 to 2.66) | 0.23 | 1.05 (0.54 to 2.03) | 0.88 |
Bold text indicates that a p value of <0.05 and considered statistically significant.
*Adjusted by comorbidities (HT, CKD and DM) and other anti-rheumatic medication use.
†Including adalimumab, etanercept and golimumab.
‡Including rituximab, tocilizumab and abatacept.
CKD, chronic kidney disease; DM, diabetes mellitus; HT, hypertension; HZ, herpes zoster; NSAID, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs; TNF, tumour necrosis factor.