Lower Gastrointestinal Complications Affect Many Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

It has long been recognized that rheumatoid arthritis patients have an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal complications, such as bleeding and ulcers. A Mayo Clinic study, published online April 1, 2012 in The Journal of Rheumatology, indicates that rheumatoid arthritis patients are also at increased risk for bleeding and ulcers in the lower gastrointestinal tract, especially the colon.