Abstract

Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease. It is of paramount importance to detect lung involvement before the development of irreversible damage that causes morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to search the role of high resolutiorı computed tomography (HRCT) in the early diagnosis of lung involvement in patients with RA. Method: Fiftytwo patients (mean age of 49±11 years, 43 women) with the diagnosis of RA constituted the study populatin. The variables like the age of patients at the onset of the disease, duration of the disease, history of the use of antiromatoid medication, smoking habits, respiratory symptoms and blood levels of romatoid factor were recorded for analysis. Siemens, Somatom AR Star spiral computed tomography machine was used to obtain HRCT images. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed within 3 days before or after the HRCT. HRCT images were evaluated by two radiology specialist who reached a consensus about the pattern, extensivity and the anatomical location of the lesion. PFT uuas performed by obtaining static and dynamic lung volume parameters with the use of Cosmed Pony Spirometre 2.4 device. Statistical analysis was performed by using chi-square, Fisher's exact and t tests. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: HRCT detected lesions in 26 (50%), PFT showed abnormality in 17 patients (32.7%), majority being the restrictive type. PFT was abnormal in 13 of 26 patients (50%) with positive HRCT findings, and 4 of 26 patients (15.3%) with normal HRCT findings. There was a positive correlation between HRCT and PFT in detecting the lung involvement. HRCT findings did not correlate with the variables like the age of patients at the onset of the disease, duration of the disease, history of the use of antiromatoid medication, smoking habits, respiratory symptoms and blood levels of romatoid factor. Conclusion: HRCT findings, either themselves or in combination with the PFT da ta can facilitate the early detection of lung involvement in RA and therefore be helpful in initiating the medical management in a timely manner.