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Alternative names Return to top
Lung disease - rheumatoid arthritisDefinition Return to top
Rheumatoid lung disease is associated with rheumatoid arthritis and includes pleural effusions, pulmonary fibrosis, lung nodules, and pulmonary hypertension.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Pulmonary abnormalities are common in rheumatoid arthritis, but they often have 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 Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Crackles may be heard when listening to the lungs with a stethoscope (auscultation). Alternatively, there may be decreased breath sounds, a "rub," or normal breath sounds.Treatment Return to top
Many people have no symptoms. Therefore, treatment is aimed at the underlying disorder and for specific complications resulting from this disorder. Corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapy are sometimes useful.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
The outcome is related to the underlying disorder and the type and severity of lung disease.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider PROMPTLY if you have rheumatoid arthritis and unexplained breathing difficulties occur. Update Date: 5/7/2003 Updated by: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |