Title: Interstitial Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Volume: 6
Issue: 2
Author(s): Kristine Phillips, Kevin R. Flaherty, Eric L. Matteson, Tim Bongartz, Joan Bathon, Kevin K. Brown and Paul F. Dellaripa
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis
Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 1-2% of the general population. Although often thought of as primarily a localized inflammatory disorder with associated joint destruction, it is a diffuse systemic disease. Extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis can be demonstrated in almost 50% of patients with RA, and include pulmonary, cardiac, ocular, renal, hematologic, and neurologic involvement. In this article, we review recent studies of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in RA with a focus on clinical and pathological features of rheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). We discuss an approach to the diagnosis and treatment of RA-ILD including potential biomarkers, and conclude by outlining areas for future research.
