Head and neck cancer risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with matched controls: a nationwide cohort study
Main finding · Overall HNCsResult — go to the resultAdjusted hazard ratio 1.53 95% CI 1.12–2.09Authors' conclusion
Patients with RA have an increased risk of developing overall HNCs, particularly pharyngeal cancer. However, no significant association was found for other HNC types.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and matched non-RA controls, Korean National Health Insurance Service
- Exposure
- RA vs matched non-RA controls
- RAn = 40,990
- Controlsn = 204,950reference
- Outcome
- Risk of head and neck cancers (HNCs)
Methodological detailsnationwide, matched, Cox proportional hazards models
- Nationwide
- Matched
- Cox proportional hazards models
Main finding
Overall HNCs
Adjusted hazard ratio
1.53
95% CI 1.12–2.09
RAvs Controls
aHR 1.53 (95% CI 1.12–2.09)
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | aHR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pharyngeal cancerRAvs Controls | 2.20 (1.33–3.64) | |
| 0.20.5125Adjusted hazard ratio (log scale) |
Oral, salivary or laryngeal cancer
- RA showed no significant association with oral, salivary or laryngeal cancer
Head and neck cancer (HNCs) by seropositivity status
- No significant difference in HNC risk between seropositive and seronegative RA
Original publication
Head and neck cancer risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared with matched controls: a nationwide cohort study. RMD Open. Published 4 March 2026. doi:10.
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