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Rheumatoid lung disease
Lung disease - rheumatoid arthritis; Rheumatoid nodules; Rheumatoid lung
Rheumatoid lung disease is a group of lung problems related to rheumatoid arthritis . The condition can include:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease. It leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs....
- Blockage of the small airways (bronchiolitis obliterans)
-
Fluid in the chest (
pleural effusions
)
Pleural effusions
A pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.
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High blood pressure in the lungs (
pulmonary hypertension
)
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. It makes the right side of the heart work harder than normal.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Lumps in the lungs (nodules)
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Scarring (
pulmonary fibrosis
)
Pulmonary fibrosis
Interstitial lung disease is a group of lung disorders in which the lung tissues become inflamed and then damaged.
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Causes
Lung problems are common in rheumatoid arthritis. They often cause no symptoms.
The cause of lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. Sometimes, the medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, especially methotrexate, may result in lung disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Chest pain
-
Cough
Cough
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. But too much coughing may mean you have a disease or disorder. Some coughs are d...
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-
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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- Joint stiffness
-
Joint swelling
Joint swelling
Joint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint.
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Exams and Tests
The doctor may hear crackles (rales) when listening to the lungs with a stethoscope. Or, there may be decreased breath sounds, wheezing, a rubbing sound, or normal breath sounds.
The following tests may show signs of rheumatoid lung disease:
-
Chest x-ray
Chest x-ray
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
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CT scan of the chest
CT scan of the chest
A chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....
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Echocardiogram
(may show pulmonary hypertension)
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a s...
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Lung biopsy (bronchoscopic, video-assisted, or
open
)
Open
An open lung biopsy is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lung. The sample is then examined for cancer, infection, or lung disease....
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Lung function tests
Lung function tests
Pulmonary function tests are a group of tests that measure breathing and how well the lungs are functioning.
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Needle inserted into the fluid around the lung (
thoracentesis
)
Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid from the space between the lining of the outside of the lungs (pleura) and the wall of the chest....
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Blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis
Blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a blood test that measures the amount of the RF antibody in the blood.
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Treatment
Many people with this condition have no symptoms. Treatment is aimed at the health problems causing the lung problem and the complications caused by the disorder. Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system are sometimes useful.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Outcome is related to the underlying disorder and the type and severity of lung disease. In severe cases, lung transplantation can be considered.
Possible Complications
Rheumatoid lung disease may lead to:
-
Pneumothorax
Pneumothorax
A collapsed lung occurs when air escapes from the lung. The air then fills the space outside of the lung, between the lung and chest wall. This bui...
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Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. It makes the right side of the heart work harder than normal.
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider right away if you have rheumatoid arthritis and you develop unexplained breathing difficulties.
References
Corte TJ, duBois RM, Wells AU. Connective tissue diseases. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 65.
Lake F, Proudman S. Rheumatoid arthritis and lung disease: from mechanisms to a practical approach. Semin Respir Crit Care Med . 2014;35:222-238. PMID: 24668537 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24668537 .
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Bronchoscopy - illustration
Bronchoscopy is a surgical technique for viewing the interior of the airways. Using sophisticated flexible fiber optic instruments, surgeons are able to explore the trachea, main stem bronchi, and some of the small bronchi. In children, this procedure may be used to remove foreign objects that have been inhaled. In adults, the procedure is most often used to take samples of (biopsy) suspicious lesions and for culturing specific areas in the lung.
Bronchoscopy
illustration
-
Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
-
Bronchoscopy - illustration
Bronchoscopy is a surgical technique for viewing the interior of the airways. Using sophisticated flexible fiber optic instruments, surgeons are able to explore the trachea, main stem bronchi, and some of the small bronchi. In children, this procedure may be used to remove foreign objects that have been inhaled. In adults, the procedure is most often used to take samples of (biopsy) suspicious lesions and for culturing specific areas in the lung.
Bronchoscopy
illustration
-
Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
-
Rheumatoid arthritis
(In-Depth)
-
Periodontal disease
(In-Depth)
Review Date: 6/22/2015
Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
