Bronchiolitis in rheumatoid arthritis

Bronchiolitis in association with rheumatoid arthritis has been reported, to our knowledge, in 18 patients to date. In some cases use of penicillamine has been strongly associated with the development of bronchiolitis. Most of the reported cases are described as having marked irreversible airways obstruction and hyperinflation. We describe a patient with rheumatoid arthritis whose respiratory tract symptoms began during gold therapy. Physiologic studies showed marked lung hyperinflation without pathologic findings in forced dry spirometric study. On open lung biopsy a mild degree of granulomatous bronchiolitis was found. Immunofluorescent microscopy showed IgM- and IgG-containing plasma cells in the bronchiolar walls.