Assessment of Characteristics of ILD Associated with RA

Characteristics of ILD Associated with RA

Abstract

Background: The aim is to assess the characteristics of ILD associated with RA. Subjects and Methods: One hundred six patients with RA of either gender were divided into 2 groups. Group I were RA with ILD and group II were RA without ILD. Parameters such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, IgM, complement (C) 3, C4 were noted. History of smoking was recorded. Results: Group I comprised of 40 and group II 66 patients. Group I had 18 males and 22 females and group II had 26 males and 40 females. The mean age was 58.2 years in group I and 50.6 years in group I. The age of onset of RA was 51.4 years in group I and 45.2 years in group II. The mean disease duration was 7.6 years in group I and 5.3 years in group II. There were 14 smokers in group I and 20 in group II. IgA (g/L) level found to be 2.98 and 2.90, IgG (g/L) was 13.9 and 13.2, IgM (g/L) was 1.08 and 1.02, C3 (g/L) was 1.27 and 1.23, C4 (g/L) was 0.27 and 0.28, LDH (U/L) was 153.2 and 156.3, RF (IU/ml) was 654.2 and 350.6, anti CCP (RU/ml) was 911.2 and 713.9, CRP (mg/L) was 52.1 and 41.8 and ESR (mm/h) was 75.3 and 65.7 in group I and II respectively. History of medication such as methotrexate was seen in 8 and 15, sulfasalazine in 12 and 18, leflunomide in 5 and 22, combination of methotrexate+ sulfasalazine in 6 and 4 and methotrexate+ leflunomide in 4 and 2 in group I and II respectively. Conclusion: The risk factors of RA-ILD were age, age at RA onset and smoking. HRCT should be carried out to confirm abnormalities in these patients.