Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Pulmonary involvement is a common and serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis. This cross sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of pulmonary disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on the basis of history, physical examination, chest X-ray and PFT.

Materials and Methods: 103 patients (81 Women, 22 Men) fulfilling the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria for RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) were consecutively included in a cross sectional study. Detailed medical (including respiratory symptoms and the disease activity symptoms) and drug and occupational histories and smoking were obtained. All patients underwent a complete pulmonary and rheumatologic examination and conventional chest radiography. All patients underwent PFT that comprised spirometry and body plethysmography.Results for PFTs were expressed as percentage of predicted values for each individual adjusted for age, sex, and height.

Results: On the basis of history: Their mean age was 43.3 ± 2.6 years (range: 17-74) and the mean duration of the disease was 69.3 ± 15.6 months. Rheumatoid factor was positive in% 61.2. No patients were 0.5Pack/Year smoker in whole life. Prevalence of pulmonary involvement based on radiographic and pulmonary function test detected in 41 patients (39/7%). The most frequent respiratory clinical finding was dyspnea (33%), (NYHA grade I in 17.5% and NYHA grade II in 15.5%), Cough (with or without sputum) in 13.6 %, Crackle was the most sign in pulmonary examination (5.8%). Chest X-ray was abnormal in 13.3 % that the most common finding in this study was reticulonodular pattern in 20 patients (19.4 %), and pleural effusion detected in 7 patients (6.7%). PFT was abnormal in 30 patients (29.1 %). A significant decrease of FEF 25%-75% below 1.64 SD. Small airway involvements was the most abnormal finding of PFT. No relation between rheumatoid arthritis disease activity (ESR>30, Morning stiffness>30', Anemia, thrombocytosis) with pulmonary disease was seen.

Conclusion: This study suggests a high prevalence of lung involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Therefore we recommend a complete investigation in patients with RA with any respiratory symptom.