Association between urinary sodium and potassium excretion and blood pressure and inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Hypertension is highly prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In other populations, high sodium (Na) and low potassium (K) intake are associated with an increased risk of hypertension, and in animal models, a high salt intake exacerbated arthritis. Patients with RA have many comorbidities associated with salt sensitivity, but their salt intake and its relationship to blood pressure and inflammation is unknown.