A patient on rheumatoid arthritis medication (disease-modifying agents like methotrexate) may be at increased risk for which complications?

Correct answer: C. Myocardial infarction and serious infections

• A. Liver cancer risk is elevated with methotrexate in the long term, but MI and infections are the most clinically tested complications.
• B. Hyperthyroidism is not a complication of RA or its treatment.
• C. Correct. Rheumatoid arthritis itself and its immunosuppressive treatments (methotrexate, biologics like Humira) increase the risk of serious infections (immunosuppression) and cardiovascular complications. RA patients have increased cardiovascular mortality, and biologics can increase infection risk.
• D. Diabetes and weight gain are associated with corticosteroids used as RA therapy, but the primary concern for standard RA medications is infection and MI.