Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) constitutes the paradigm of highly complex rheumatic disease.

In recent years, with the advent of disease-modifying, biologic, and synthetic antirheumatic drugs, there has been a veritable revolution in the treatment of the disease. The possibility of interfering with the signals that produce and amplify inflammatory phenomena makes it possible to significantly attenuate clinical manifestations and even, on occasions, achieve remission of the process.

Parallel to drug development, there has been a remarkable change in the RA care model. Outcome measures have been established and it is possible to predefine therapeutic objectives.

At the same time that RA activity has been limited, awareness of comorbid conditions has clearly increased. It is now unanimously considered that the clinician should pay special attention to the control of infections, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoporosis. Beyond these traditional processes, the spectrum of associated disorders is increasingly broad (fatigue, nutritional disturbances, sarcopenia, neuropsychiatric disorders, among others). Its impact on the clinical course of the disease is highly relevant.

In this issue we make an approximation to the comorbidities of RA.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, comorbidities