The Threat of Opioids and SSRIs in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Generally, the patients who experienced the fractures were at an older age, had the disease for a lengthened amount of time, were more likely to be using glucocorticoid, had higher disease activity, and were generally at a higher risk for fractures. Those with fractures displayed more comorbidity at the baseline than those who without fractures.

The patients who took opioids were at a higher risk of fracture almost automatically; before thirty days of taking them, the statistic threat had already risen. For those who were taking SSRIs, the process was slightly more gradual. Fracture risk increased after approximately three months of use, and the highest risk was only shown in those patients who had been on the medication long-term.