Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory systemic disease with a number of extra- articular manifestations including lung disease. Our purpose of the study was to assess the HRCT findings in patients with rheumatoid arthritis associated lung diseases (RA-ILD).
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted ona total of 36 patients of Rheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Patients were evaluated by physiological (pulmonary function test) and radiological methods (chest X-ray, HRCT chest). Chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical variables. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant
Results: UIP was the most common ILD seen in RA in our study. Chest X Ray showed reticulonodular pattern in 39.3% of patients, prominent vascular makings in 7.1% of patients and bilateral lower zone haziness in 32.1% of patients. PFT with restrictive pattern was seen in 50% of patients and obstructive pattern was seen in 7.1% of patients. On HRCT, reticulations were present in 35.7% of patients: honey combing was present in 53.6% of patients, ground glass opacities in 42.9%, pleural thickening in 10.7%, pleural effusion in 7.1%, pulmonary vascular prominence in 7.1%, rheumatoid nodules in 7.1% and bronchiectasis in 7.1%.
Conclusion: In the present study, UIP is the most common ILD. Honey combing and ground glass opacities most common finding on HRCT in these patients. As the duration of illness increases, need for screening for pulmonary involvement with Chest Xray, PFTs and HRCT is to be emphasized along with periodic chest examination.
Keywords: Pulmonary, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Interstitial lung diseases, RA-ILD.
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Corresponding Author
Areca Wangnoo
Residents, Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i4.92
