What can Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) lead to systemically?

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS is a systemic autoimmune disease with extra-articular manifestations. Critically, chronic inflammation in RA leads to accelerated ATHEROSCLEROSIS and significantly INCREASED RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, including MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. RA patients have up to 2x higher cardiovascular mortality. Other systemic effects include pericarditis, interstitial lung disease, vasculitis, and increased infection risk. RA does NOT cause diabetes or hyperthyroidism. A is correct.