Symposium 4

Extra-articular manifestations are common in Rheumatoid-arthritis (RA), involving the skin, eyes, heart, and lung, causing significant comorbidities. In particular, clinically significant rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) has a prevalence of about 10%-19% among RA patients. However, the exact prevalence of ILD in RA patients is not well known and there is also a lack of local data in Hong Kong. Early screening and identification of ILD in RA patients is important for improving patient outcomes. Currently, there is no established algorithm for screening in asymptomatic patients with RA. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a standard assessment in ILD diagnosis but is associated with high cost. Pulmonary function test and lung ultrasound might also be useful in identifying ILD. Besides, multiple clinical risk factors and novel biomarkers have been explored for early identification of RA-ILD. To evaluate the usefulness of these predictors and to evaluate the burden of interstitial lung disease (ILD) among patients with RA, a local study (RAISE, Rheumatoid Arthritis-associated ILD: Screening and Evaluation in high-risk patients) was designed in Hong Kong to assess the prevalence of RA-ILD among RA patients with high risk, and to identify potential clinical and biochemical markers associated with the condition. In this session, Dr. Shirley Chan will share the protocol of the RAISE study and the screening approach. The interim results will also be analyzed and presented.