Relationship Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pulmonary Function Measures on Spirometry in the UK Biobank.

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Rheumatology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease.
• Pulmonary complications are recognized in RA patients.
• The specific relationship between RA and spirometric patterns needs further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the independent association of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the type and severity of pulmonary patterns identified via spirometry.
• To compare pulmonary patterns in RA patients with those in the general population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study using UK Biobank data.
• RA cases identified by self-report and medication use; controls were subjects without RA.
• Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and smoking status.

Main Results:

• RA was associated with significantly lower FEV1% and FVC% compared to controls.
• RA demonstrated increased odds of both restrictive (OR 1.36) and obstructive (OR 1.21) spirometric patterns.
• These associations remained significant after adjusting for confounders, including smoking.

Conclusions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis is independently associated with an increased likelihood of restrictive and obstructive lung function patterns.
• Clinicians should consider airway obstruction as a potential pulmonary manifestation of RA, beyond restrictive lung disease.