Table 1

Baseline characteristics of individuals compared between RA and non-RA cohorts

	RA				p Value
	Yes (N=33 418)		No (N=33 418)
	n	Per cent	n	Per cent
Age, year					0.99
20–49	13 034	39.0	13 034	39.0
50–64	12 604	37.7	12 604	37.7
≥65	7780	23.3	7780	23.3
Mean±SD*	54.0	±13.9	53.5	±14.3	<0.001
Sex					0.99
Female	25 943	77.6	25 943	77.6
Male	7475	22.4	7475	22.4
Comorbidity
Hypertension	10 957	32.8	10 496	31.4	0.001
Diabetes	2900	8.68	2852	8.53	0.51
Hyperlipidaemia	6724	20.1	6724	20.1	0.99
IHD	5471	16.4	4966	14.9	<0.001
Dysrhythmia	2638	7.89	2080	6.22	<0.001
CHF	1176	3.52	815	2.44	<0.001
Stroke	938	2.81	1066	3.19	0.004
CKD	428	1.28	677	2.03	<0.001
Asthma/COPD	4154	12.4	2738	8.19	<0.001
Obesity	455	1.36	447	1.34	0.79

χ² test.
*t-test.
CHF, congestive heart failure; CKD, chronic kidney disease; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; IHD, ischaemic heart disease; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.