0
Rheumatoid lung disease is a group of lung problems related to rheumatoid arthritis. The condition can include fluid in the chest (pleural effusions), scarring (pulmonary fibrosis), lumps (nodules), and high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
Alternative NamesLung disease - rheumatoid Arthritis; Rheumatoid nodules
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPulmonary abnormalities are common in rheumatoid arthritis, but they often cause no symptoms. The causes of lung disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis are unknown. Sometimes the medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis may result in lung disease.
Symptoms- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Fever
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include the following:
- Joint swelling
- Joint stiffness
- Joint pain
- Skin nodules
The doctor may hear crackles when listening to the lungs with a stethoscope (auscultation). Or, the patient may have decreased breath sounds, a rubbing sound, or normal breath sounds.
The following tests may show problems consistent with rheumatoid lung disease:
- Chest x-ray
- CT scan of the chest
- Echocardiogram(may show pulmonary hypertension)
- Needle inserted into the fluid around the lung (thoracentesis)
- Bronchoscopic, video-assisted, or open lung biopsy
Many people with this condition have no symptoms. Therefore, therapies are aimed at treating the underlying disorder and complications resulting from the disorder. Corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapies are sometimes useful.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome is related to the underlying disorder and the type and severity of lung disease.
ComplicationsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider PROMPTLY if you have rheumatoid arthritis and you develop unexplained breathing difficulties.
ReferencesStrange C, Highland KB. Interstitial lung disease in the patient who has connective tissue disease. Clin Chest Med. September 2004;25:549-559.
Zrour SH, Touzi M, Bejia I, et al. Correlations between high-resolution computed tomography of the chest and clinical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Prospective study in 75 patients. Joint Bone Spine. January 2005;72:41-47.
What else can I help you with?
Is there a medical name for rheumatoid arthritis on the lung?
Rheumatoid lung disease, as its name suggests, is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Of the 1.3 million Americans who have rheumatoid arthritis, nearly half may have some abnormal lung function. Up to one-fourth develop rheumatoid lung disease.
What is the x-ray appearance of a lung affected by rheumatoid arthritis?
I have found a picture of an X ray of a person with pathologically proven respiratory bronchiolitis associated interstitial lung disease. Follow the related links below (Rheumatoid Lung Disease) (bronchiolitis associated interstitial lung disease) below to see it.
What is the lung disease that causes coughing and joint aches?
The lung disease that causes coughing and joint aches is likely to be rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease. This condition is characterized by inflammation in the lungs, leading to symptoms such as coughing and joint pain. Treatment typically involves managing the underlying rheumatoid arthritis and addressing lung inflammation.
What is the relation between Arthritis and Asthma?
Sometimes causes lung disease in People who have had rheumatoid arthritis for an extended period of time.those between the ages of 50 and 60 seem to be the most likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis-related lung disease. Occasionally, however, lung problems surface before the joint inflammation and pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
What is Arthritis pneumonia?
Arthritis pneumonia One of the symptoms associated with rheumatoid Arthritis lung disease.
What disease is Heart disease lung disease and diabetes considered?
Heart disease, lung disease and diabetes can all be considered organ diseases. Lung disease is a pulmonary disease, while heart disease is a cardiovascular disease. They are different.
What kinds of diseases can you get if you smoke?
lung disease my friend has lung disease
What is brown lunge disease?
a Brown lung disease in a kind of disease your lung become brown it comes by smocking
What are the signs or symptoms of impending death in a 67 year old male patient with end stage lung disease complicated with rheumatoid arthritis and asbestosis?
A Doctor or a Paliative Care Nurse would be able to answer that question
Serious bacterial lung disease?
Tuberculosis (TB)
How can PFTs help to distinguish whether a lung disease is obstructive restrictive or both?
In obstructive lung disease airways are narrowed which results in resistance to air flow during breathing. In restrictive lung disease, expansion of the lung is limited by disease that affects the chest wall, pleura, or lung tissue itself.
How can PFT help distinguish whether a lung disease is obstructive restrictive or both?
In obstructive lung disease airways are narrowed which results in resistance to air flow during breathing. In restrictive lung disease, expansion of the lung is limited by disease that affects the chest wall, pleura, or lung tissue itself.
