Learn About Rheumatoid Lung Disease
Rheumatoid lung disease is a group of lung problems related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The condition can include:
- Blockage of the small airways (bronchiolitis obliterans)
- Fluid in the chest (pleural effusions)
- High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
- Lumps in the lungs (nodules)
- Scarring (pulmonary fibrosis)
Lung disease - rheumatoid arthritis; Rheumatoid nodules; Rheumatoid lung
Lung problems are common in people with RA. They often cause no symptoms, but for some people they are the main symptom of their RA.
The cause of lung disease associated with RA is unknown. Sometimes, the medicines used to treat RA, especially methotrexate, may result in lung disease.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Skin nodules
Many people with this condition have no symptoms. Treatment is usually aimed at the RA causing the lung problem and the complications caused by the disorder. Corticosteroids or other medicines that suppress the immune system are sometimes useful.
There is emerging evidence that pirfenidone and nintedanib may work for people with fibrosis due to rheumatoid lung disease.
Unmc Physicians
Bryant England is a Rheumatologist in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. England is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rheumatoid Lung Disease. His top areas of expertise are Rheumatoid Lung Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Arthritis, and Gout. Dr. England is currently accepting new patients.
University Of Pittsburgh Physicians
Dana Ascherman is a Rheumatologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ascherman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Rheumatoid Lung Disease. His top areas of expertise are Myositis, Rheumatoid Lung Disease, Dermatomyositis, and Polymyositis.
Miguel Gay-Gonzalez practices in Santander And Univ. Of The Witwatersrand, South Africa. Mr. Gay-Gonzalez is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Rheumatoid Lung Disease. His top areas of expertise are Vasculitis, Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), Temporal Arteritis, Lung Transplant, and Kidney Transplant.
The outcome is related to the underlying disorder and the type and severity of lung disease. In severe cases, lung transplantation can be considered. This is more common in cases of bronchiolitis obliterans, pulmonary fibrosis, or pulmonary hypertension.
Rheumatoid lung disease may lead to:
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- Pulmonary hypertension
Contact your provider right away if you have rheumatoid arthritis and you develop unexplained breathing difficulties or worsening of baseline breathing difficulties.
Summary: PURPOSE: The main purpose is to explore clinical efficacy and safety associated with capsule FMT (cFMT) performed in newly diagnosed, untreated patients with rheumatic and gastrointestinal chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs). DESIGN AND METHODS: In this 1:1 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, 12-month exploratory trial, 200 patients with at least one of 6 different diagnoses of CIDs ful...
Summary: The aim of the study is to develop a standardized, risk-adapted screening protocol for detecting pleuropulmonary manifestations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To assess the risk of these manifestations, a comprehensive range of functional and clinical evaluations will be performed and correlated with structural lung assessments using computed tomography (CT).
Published Date: April 10, 2025
Published By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Johnson SR, Bernstein EJ, Bolster MB, et al. 2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) guideline for the treatment of interstitial lung disease in people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2024;76(8):1051-1069. PMID: 38973731 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38973731/.
Raghu G, Martinez FJ. Interstitial lung disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 80.