Factors Associated with Airway Disease and Interstitial Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study examined lung involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and identified factors associated with airway disease (AD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: A total of 507 RA patients were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Lung involvement was assessed by high-resolution computed tomography scan. The patient groups were classified according to normal, AD, and ILD. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with AD and ILD. RESULTS: The most frequent lung involvement was AD (38.3%) followed by ILD (12.6%). Old age (adjust odds ratio [aOR] 2.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.70 to 3.90 for AD; aOR 4.38, 95% CI 2.30 to 8.35 for ILD), male gender (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.22 to 5.42 for AD; aOR 5.48, 95% CI 2.20 to 13.65 for ILD) were factors associated with AD and ILD in RA patients. ILD was associated with short disease duration (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.62), AD was associated with high titers of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies (anti-CCP; aOR 1.61, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.44). CONCLUSION: AD was the most frequent lung involvement in patients with RA. Old age and male gender were both associated with AD and ILD. Short disease duration was associated with ILD. High titers of anti-CCP was associated with AD.