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Many extra-articular manifestations occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including pulmonary disorders (i.e., pleural effusions, nodules, bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung disease). The reported incidence and severity of these manifestations vary widely. In this study, researchers in Boston analyzed 190 RA patients who underwent chest computed tomography (CT) for clinical indications from 2003 through 2017. Abnormal scans were reviewed independently by thoracic radiologists.
Presumed RA-related lung disease was noted in 54 patients: Interstitial lung disease (16%), bronchiectasis (14%), and pleural disease (10%) were most common. Male sex and methotrexate use were associated with RA-related lung disease, but rheumatoid-facto…