Trends in Rheumatoid Arthritis Mortality Among Postmenopausal Women in the United States, 1999–2023

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disproportionately affects postmenopausal women, who are at an increased risk of developing RA and experience higher RA‐related mortality compared to premenopausal women. This study examines trends in RA‐related mortality among U.S. postmenopausal women aged 55 and older from 1999 to 2023. We explored disparities in mortality by race/ethnicity, region, and age, and projected future mortality rates through 2030. Data were sourced from the CDC WONDER database, with RA‐related deaths identified using ICD‐10 codes M05 and M06. Age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were calculated via direct standardization, and trends were analyzed using Joinpoint regression to estimate annual percentage change (APC). During the study period, there were 42,497 RA‐related deaths. Overall, AAMRs declined significantly from 5.75 to 2.51 per 100,000 (AAPC: −3.53), though a temporary increase was observed during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The highest mortality rates were observed among non‐Hispanic White women, followed by Hispanic or Latino, non‐Hispanic Black, and other racial groups. Geographically, the Midwest and West had the highest AAMRs, while the Northeast reported the lowest. Women aged 85 and older consistently exhibited the highest mortality across all age groups. Projections suggest that the downward trend in mortality will continue, with AAMRs expected to reach 1.55 per 100,000 by 2030. Despite the overall decline, significant disparities persist by race/ethnicity, region, and age, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address inequities in healthcare access and outcomes.