The lung in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory disease, affecting about 1% of the population. Although a major portion of the disease burden including excess mortality is due to its extra-articular manifestations, the prevalence of RA-associated lung disease is increasing. RA can affect the lung parenchyma, airways, and the pleura; and pulmonary complications are directly responsible for 10 to 20% of all mortality. Even though pulmonary infection and drug toxicity are frequent complications of RA, lung disease directly associated with the underlying RA is more common. The prevalence of a particular complication varies based on the characteristics of the population studied, the definition of lung disease used, and the sensitivity of the clinical investigations employed. An overview of lung disease associated with RA is presented here with an emphasis on parenchymal lung disease, pleural effusion, and airway involvement.

In this issue

Quarterly Medical Review: Pulmonary Involvement in Systemic Diseases

M. Humbert, Clamart, France

Lung involvement in systemic sclerosis

P.M. Hassoun, Baltimore, USA

Pleural and pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus

O. Torre et al., Milan, Italy

The lung in rheumatoid arthritis

A. Amital et al., Petach Tikva, Israel

Pulmonary manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome

P.Y. Hatron et al., Lille, France

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: the bête noire of pulmonary hypertension in connective tissue diseases?

D.S. O’Callaghan et al., Clamart, France