Rheumatoid arthritis overlapping systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease

Abstract

Lung disease is the second most frequent extra articular manifestation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. It can be present in up to 80% RA cases and represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality. One of the most common types of lung involvement in RA patients is the interstitial lung disease (ILD). Computed tomography studies show evidence of ILD in a large proportion of patients with RA (over 50% in some studies) and it can be clinically symptomatic in 5% of cases. The CT aspect classifies four forms of ILD, listed in order of frequency: usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) - the most common form, non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), organizing pneumonia (OP) and diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) which is the least common form. We present a long-standing case of rheumatoid arthritis overlapping systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease.