Rheumatoid arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in US adults: a cross-sectional analysis

Globally, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has emerged as one of the most prevalent chronic respiratory disorders, imposing substantial healthcare challenges and contributing significantly to premature mortality. Emerging evidence indicates that chronic inflammation and immune responses play crucial roles in the pathogenesis and progression of COPD. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immune-mediated multisystem disease, but its association with COPD remains inconsistent. The primary objective of this investigation is to assess the potential association between RA and COPD.

Data were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to March 2020, which encompassed 25,682 participants. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to assess the relationship between RA and COPD. To comprehensively evaluate the association's robustness, we conducted subgroup analyses along with sensitivity analyses, examining potential confounding factors and effect modifiers.

RA was associated with a higher prevalence of COPD even after adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health-related factors (adjusted OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.23-1.87, p < 0.001). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses confirmed the robustness of these results.

RA is significantly associated with COPD in US adults, highlighting the importance of early detection and preventive strategies aimed at mitigating COPD risk in patients with RA.