scholarly journals Imaging Features of the Pleuropulmonary Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Pearls and Pitfalls

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harbir S Sidhu ◽  
Gauraang Bhatnagar ◽  
Pervinder Bhogal ◽  
Richard Riordan
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Nodules ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Interstitial Disease ◽  
The Common ◽  
Prognostic Implications

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disorder that affects the joints. RA is a systemic disease associated with relatively frequent and variable pleuropulmonary manifestations. This article reviews the common and potentially serious thoracic sequelae in terms of pleural disease, pulmonary nodules, airways disorders, and interstitial disease, as well as pulmonary side effects of antirheumatic medication. An imaging-guided approach to classification of RA-associated lung disease is outlined and the comparative values of different imaging modalities are discussed. An appreciation of current knowledge of epidemiology, pathological correlation, and prognostic implications of different RA-associated lung disease is provided. We highlight importance of considering pertinent differential diagnoses to avoid misdiagnosis, and outline common pitfalls in dealing with pleuropulmonary rheumatoid disease.

Pulmonary Manifestations in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Peripheral Spondyloarthritis Prevalence, Diagnostic Approach and Treatment Options

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Dejcman ◽  
Valentin Sebastian Schäfer ◽  
Dirk Skowasch ◽  
Carmen Pizarro ◽  
Andreas Krause ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Pulmonary Diseases ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Pulmonary Manifestations ◽  
Major Cluster ◽  
Peripheral Spondyloarthritis

: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common form of pulmonary impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, patients with RA or other arthritic diseases such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or peripheral spondyloarthritis (pSpA) may develop several other pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) with a higher risk than patients without arthritis. The article at hand aims at summarizing the current knowledge on the prevalence of pulmonary diseases in the above-mentioned forms of arthritis, the challenges for prevalence studies and detecting pulmonary diseases in patients with arthritis as well as possible treatment options. Dyspnea, cough or other pulmonary symptoms or findings in arthritis patients should prompt gradual diagnostic procedures considering pulmonary manifestations as a major cluster of differential diagnosis. Considering its poor prognosis and morbidity burden, RA-ILD needs to be ruled out. Treatment of manifestations often lacks solid evidencebased guidelines and referrals to specialized centers are often necessary.

Miscellaneous vasculitides

2013 ◽  
pp. 1153-1162
Author(s):  
Richard A. Watts ◽  
Eleana Ntatsaki
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Relapsing Polychondritis ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Systemic Rheumatic Diseases

The vasculitides are a group of relatively rare conditions with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Classification of the vasculitic syndromes is done according to the size of the vessels affected and also the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). Vasculitides can be either primary or secondary to an underlying systemic disease, malignancy, or infection. This chapter covers the spectrum of the secondary vasculitides; some of the non-ANCA-associated primary vasculitides and miscellaneous types of vasculitic syndromes. Secondary vasculitis can occur in the background of systemic rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, or other connective tissue diseases. Vasculitis can also present in relation to precipitants such as drugs (propylthiouracil, hydralazine, leucotriene antagonists) or vaccines. Infection (bacterial, mycobacterial, viral, and fungal) has been associated with vasculitis either as a trigger or as a consequence of iatrogenic immunosuppression. Infection-related vasculitis can affect all types and sizes of vessels. Certain forms of vasculitis such as cryoglobulinaemia are closely associated with viral infections and more specifically with HCV infection. There are forms of vasculitis, which appear to be isolated or localized to a single organ, or site (skin, gastrointestinal, genital, and primary central nervous system vasculitis) that may be histologically similar to systemic syndromes, but have a different prognosis. Other conditions that may mimic vasculitis and miscellaneous conditions such as Cogan’s syndrome and relapsing polychondritis are also discussed.

scholarly journals Bubbles in the Box: Recurrent Pneumothorax From Bronchopleural Fistula in Rheumatoid Arthritis

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 232470961986055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Taha ◽  
Randa Hazam ◽  
Jim Tseng ◽  
Lusine Nahapetyan ◽  
Masoud Alzeerah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Pleural Cavity ◽  
Bronchopleural Fistula ◽  
Pulmonary Nodules ◽  
Fistula Formation ◽  
First Case ◽  
Pulmonary Manifestations ◽  
Parenchymal Lung Disease ◽  
Parenchymal Lung

When considering rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated pulmonary diseases, interstitial lung disease and pleural disease are the most common RA-associated pulmonary manifestations while spontaneous pneumothorax and bronchopleural fistula (BPF) are among the extremely rare ones. To the best of our knowledge, all the previous reports of RA-associated BPFs were attributed to peripherally located pulmonary nodules that necrotized, burst into the pleural cavity, and eventually lead to the fistula formation. However, we hereby present the first case of BPF in an RA patient that formed in the absence of any underlying rheumatic pulmonary nodules. Additionally, our patient was on chronic methotrexate therapy, and there are no data in the literature that suggest methotrexate-induced parenchymal lung disease can predispose to BPF formation. Our report is the first to introduce a probe to further investigate this association.

scholarly journals Interpretation of autoantibody positivity in interstitial lung disease and lung-dominant connective tissue disease

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 728-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Antunes Silva Pereira ◽  
Alexandre de Melo Kawassaki ◽  
Bruno Guedes Baldi
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Connective Tissue Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Pulmonary Involvement ◽  
Pathophysiological Role ◽  
History Of

The initial evaluation of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) primarily involves a comprehensive, active search for the cause. Autoantibody assays, which can suggest the presence of a rheumatic disease, are routinely performed at various referral centers. When interstitial lung involvement is the condition that allows the definitive diagnosis of connective tissue disease and the classical criteria are met, there is little debate. However, there is still debate regarding the significance, relevance, specificity, and pathophysiological role of autoimmunity in patients with predominant pulmonary involvement and only mild symptoms or formes frustes of connective tissue disease. The purpose of this article was to review the current knowledge of autoantibody positivity and to discuss its possible interpretations in patients with ILD and without clear etiologic associations, as well as to enhance the understanding of the natural history of an allegedly new disease and to describe the possible prognostic implications. We also discuss the proposition of a new term to be used in the classification of ILDs: lung-dominant connective tissue disease.

scholarly journals Methotrexate and The Lung in Rheumatoid Arthritis

2020 ◽  
pp. 80-90
Author(s):  
Shamma Ahmad Al Nokhatha ◽  
Robert Harrington ◽  
Richard Conway
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Treatment Approach ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
First Year ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Disease Entity ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Common Manifestation

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic rheumatic disease. While the most visible manifestation of RA is articular involvement, it is a true systemic disease with the potential to affect multiple organs. Methotrexate (MTX) is the most commonly used medication to treat RA. MTX pneumonitis (MTX-pneu) is a rare disease entity reported in MTX users. It usually develops acutely or subacutely in the first year of treatment. MTX-pneu presents with cough, dyspnoea, and often fever. Pre-existing lung disease is a major risk factor and the clinical diagnosis is based on MTX exposure, symptoms, and laboratory and imaging findings. Treatment involves MTX cessation and high-dose glucocorticoids. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common manifestation of RA with clinical RA-ILD affecting up to 10% of patients. RA-ILD tends to be a more indolent process than MTX-pneu and frequently develops over years but can also be acute. Similar to MTX-pneu, RA-ILD presents with cough, dyspnoea, and often fever. Risk factors include age, male sex, disease activity, seropositivity, and smoking. Treatment is aimed at optimal control of RA disease and within this strategy there may be particular roles for rituximab, tocilizumab, and abatacept. Antifibrotics may also have a role. Given the distinct pathologies, the differentiation of these two entities is crucial. The treatment approach differs significantly and what is beneficial for one may be harmful for the other. In this paper, the authors discuss and contrast contemporary knowledge of MTX-pneu and RA-ILD.

scholarly journals A STUDY OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE ASSOCIATED WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
R.Belinda Anet ◽  
Jai Kishan ◽  
Sameer Singhal
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Radiological Patterns ◽  
Laboratory Profile ◽  
Restrictive Pattern

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a common systemic disease that manifests as inflammatory arthritis of multiple joints and produces a wide variety of extra-articular manifestations. Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is one of the important pulmonary manifestation of RA like other Connective Tissue Disease(CTD). However RA-ILD differs from CTD-ILD in terms of histopathology and prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical features, laboratory profile, radiological patterns, pulmonary function tests including spirometry and DLCO in patients with RA-ILD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross sectional study carried out in the department of Respiratory Medicine at MMIMSR,Mullana, Haryana. A total of 10 patients were included in the study after verifying inclusion and exclusion criteria. After complete history and investigations details were documented in a proforma. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients comprising of 3 males and 7 females with a mean age of 56.5 years were included. Dry cough (100%) was the most common presenting complaints followed by excertional dyspnoea (80%). Among the 10 patients 8 were smokers. Bilateral basal Velcro creps was the most common feature (70%) followed by clubbing(20%).In HRCT the most common pattern was UIP (typical UIP-10%, probable UIP-70%) followed by Non-IPF pattern (20%). Spirometry showed restrictive pattern in all cases. DLCO was severely reduced in typical UIP pattern. CONCLUSION: HRCT chest is the most sensitive tool for early diagnosis of ILD, while DLCO is most sensitive for monitoring the prognosis. RA-ILD can be prevented and treated at an early state.

Development and Evaluation of Fuzzy Criteria for the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

1996 ◽  
Vol 35 (04/05) ◽  
pp. 334-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-P. Adlassnig ◽  
G. Kolarz ◽  
H. Leitich
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
American Rheumatism Association ◽  
Uniform Definition ◽  
Sensitivity Rate ◽  
Fuzzy Techniques ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Specificity Rate

Abstract:In 1987, the American Rheumatism Association issued a set of criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to provide a uniform definition of RA patients. Fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic were used to transform this set of criteria into a diagnostic tool that offers diagnoses at different levels of confidence: a definite level, which was consistent with the original criteria definition, as well as several possible and superdefinite levels. Two fuzzy models and a reference model which provided results at a definite level only were applied to 292 clinical cases from a hospital for rheumatic diseases. At the definite level, all models yielded a sensitivity rate of 72.6% and a specificity rate of 87.0%. Sensitivity and specificity rates at the possible levels ranged from 73.3% to 85.6% and from 83.6% to 87.0%. At the superdefinite levels, sensitivity rates ranged from 39.0% to 63.7% and specificity rates from 90.4% to 95.2%. Fuzzy techniques were helpful to add flexibility to preexisting diagnostic criteria in order to obtain diagnoses at the desired level of confidence.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: History, Stages, Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (02) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeer Fauzi Al-Rubaye ◽  
Mohanad Jawad Kadhim ◽  
Imad Hadi Hameed
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Internal Organs ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Relieve Pain ◽  
Medicinal Treatment ◽  
Natural Drugs

The pharmacological mechanisms of the medicinal plants traditionally used for RA in Persian medicine are discussed in the current review. Further investigations are mandatory to focus on bioefficacy of these phytochemicals for finding novel natural drugs. Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic, progressive, disabling autoimmune disease characterized by systemic inflammation of joints, damaging cartilage and bone around the joints. It is a systemic disease which means that it can affect the whole body and internal organs such as lungs, heart and eyes. Although numbers of synthetic drugs are being used as standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis but they have adverse effect that can compromise the therapeutic treatment. Unfortunately, there is still no effective known medicinal treatment that cures rheumatoid arthritis as the modern medicine can only treat the symptoms of this disease that means to relieve pain and inflammation of joints. It is possible to use the herbs and plants in various forms in order to relieve the pain and inflammation in the joints. There are so many medicinal plants that have shown anti rheumatoid arthritis properties. So the plants and plant product with significant advantages are used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The present review is focused on the medicinal plants having anti rheumatoid arthritis activity

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