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Lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis
Zulma X Yunt1, Joshua J Solomon1
1Autoimmune Lung Center, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA.
Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America
|April 4, 2015
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect the lungs, commonly causing interstitial lung disease (ILD) or airways disease. RA-ILD has the worst prognosis, and effective treatments require further study.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
- Immunology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 1% of the US population and often presents with extra-articular manifestations.
- The lungs are frequently involved in RA, with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and airways disease being the most common forms.
- Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) has a poor prognosis and typically shows usual interstitial pneumonia or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia histology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of lung involvement in rheumatoid arthritis.
- To highlight the prognostic implications of RA-ILD.
- To identify gaps in knowledge regarding RA-ILD pathogenesis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on RA-related lung disease.
- Analysis of common histologic patterns in RA-ILD.
- Discussion of current treatment approaches and the need for further research.
Main Results:
- RA-ILD is a significant complication with a poor prognosis.
- Usual interstitial pneumonia and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia are the most frequent histologic findings in RA-ILD.
- There is a lack of large, controlled studies on RA-ILD therapies.
Conclusions:
- Lung involvement is a serious manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Current treatments for RA-ILD primarily involve immunomodulatory agents.
- Further research is essential to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms and develop targeted therapies for RA-ILD.
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