The spectrum of airway disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Airway involvement results from long-standing rheumatoid arthritis leading to a severe pulmonary complication, correlated with increased mortality and socioeconomic costs. Different types of pulmonary lesions, including pulmonary rheumatoid nodule, pulmonary arteritis, diffuse interstitial fibrosis, and rheumatoid pneumoconiosis or Caplan's syndrome, are believed to be related to rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.). The above changes may indicate the increased susceptibility to the infection, toxins from a disease, or chronic immunity activation. The symptoms vary from asymptomatic to severe life-treating conditions, and the prognosis varies depending on the genre and severity of involvement. Our study aims to assess the prevalence and characteristics of airways association in rheumatoid arthritis as these data provide a brief insight into early diagnosis and treatment, which could be applied to minimize complications of airways diseases in rheumatoid arthritis.