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Abstract Inflammation may contribute to excess mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We investigated associations to all-cause mortality of the inflammation markers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), lactoferrin (neutrophil activation marker), and neopterin (monocyte activation marker). From the population-based Trøndelag Health Study (3rd wave 2006–2008), 316 RA patients and 43,579 controls were included. Lactoferrin and neopterin were quantified in a nested cohort (n = 283 RA patients, n = 3698 controls). Follow-up was until death found by linkage to the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry or 31.12.2018. All-cause mortality was analyzed using Cox regression and Cox regression-based mediation analysis. Having RA (hazard ratio (HR): 1.25, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.56, p = 0.048), and CRP ≥ 3 mg/L (HR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.41, 1.60, p

Abstract Inflammatory markers have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in general populations. We assessed whether these associations differ by diabetes status. From a population-based cohort study (n = 62,237) we included all participants with diabetes (n = 1753) and a control group without diabetes (n = 1818). Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for possible associations with cardiovascular mortality of 4 different inflammatory markers; C-reactive protein (CRP), calprotectin, neopterin and lactoferrin. During a median follow-up of 13.9 years, 728 (20.4%) died from cardiovascular disease (CVD). After adjustment for age, sex and diabetes, the associations of all inflammatory markers with risk of cardiovascular mortality were log-linear (all P ≤ 0.017 for trend) and did not differ according to diabetes status (all P ≥ 0.53 for interaction). After further adjustments for established risk factors, only CRP remained independently associated with cardiovascular mortality. HRs were 1.22 (1.12–1.32) per standard deviation higher loge CRP concentration and 1.91 (1.50–2.43) when comparing individuals in the top versus bottom quartile. The associations of CRP, calprotectin, lactoferrin and neopterin with cardiovascular mortality did not differ by diabetes, suggesting that any potential prognostic value of these markers is independent of diabetes status.