A STUDY ON PULMONARY INVOLVEMENT IN CHRONIC RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH CHEST XRAY AND SPIROMETRY IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 4
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder with a 0.5% - 2% prevalence in the general population. 50% of patients with chronic RA exhibit pulmonary involvement. Patients with RA should be screened for lung involvement through the use of chest x-ray and spirometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study comprised of patients with RA who attended Rheumatology clinic in the Dept. of Medicine, Travancore Medical College, Kollam, Kerala. These patients were clinically evaluated and screened with chest x-ray and spirometry. RESULTS A total of 124 RA patients underwent assessments. 23% of the patients reported a history of smoking. Chest x-ray was abnormal in 43% and spirometry was abnormal in 40.3%. Comparing the patients in whom both test results were normal (n= 54), those in whom abnormal test results were obtained (n= 70), a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. There were signs of airway disease in nearly half of the patients with minimal or no history of tobacco smoke exposure. CONCLUSION Pulmonary involvement in RA can be identified through simple and inexpensive diagnostic methods. Study suggests that RA patients should be screened for lung involvement, even if no respiratory symptoms are presented.
Authors and Affiliations
Rajeev Anand, Baiju Sam Jacob, Balachandran Jayachandra Rao
Keywords
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- EP ID EP285897
- DOI 10.14260/jemds/2018/110
- Views 103
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