Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with restrictive and obstructive spirometry patterns, with the strongest associations seen for severe patterns, according to a study published online May 13 in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Lauren Prisco, from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the association between RA and pulmonary function measures on spirometry among individuals who underwent spirometry for research purposes. Associations were estimated adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status/pack-years.
The researchers identified 2,008 cases of treated RA among 350,776 analyzed individuals with spirometry performed. Compared with controls, RA was associated with lower percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), lower percentage predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), and lower FEV1/FVC (ß = −2.93, −2.08, and −0.008, respectively) in multivariable analyses. Independent of confounders, RA was associated with restrictive and obstructive patterns (odds ratios, 1.36 and 1.21, respectively). The strongest associations were seen for RA with severe restrictive and obstructive patterns.
Thanks for this link. I pricked up my ears because patients with RA can develop Obliterative Bronchiolitis. Caspiana is one such example. It is a weird condition and can take a while to diagnose as it is both obstructive and fibrotic so can present as restrictive.
Very interesting. My wife as PSA which is very similar to RA in relation to secondary problems and treatments. Her "Asthma" as become worse over the last few years as her PSA flaired I now wonder if there could be another explanation?
Both do. Methotrexate is also known to cause lung issues and RA can attack the heart, lungs, eyes and heart due to our wonky immune systems attacking healthy tissue. It is often hard to tell, but my doctors believe in my case it was the RA itself that destroyed my lungs, not the MTX. However, who is to know? ☺️👋
Thank you Caspiana, I am still dithering, rheumatology want me to go onto biologics and I dont want to and I dont want baricitinib as my friend ended up with shingles in her eyes and brain when on this. I am in fact considering stopping all meds and see if I can just deal with it, if it will leave my lungs alone then I will do so. My fear is that if i stop , my lungs will get worse anyway and I will be in great pain with the r.a. and so will have gained nothing and made myself worse x
By stopping meds your RA may become even more uncontrollable, causing severe damage to your joints. I was on biologics for years before transplant and it kept me able to work and enjoy a quality of life. Having said that whilst my joints were kept relatively safe from damage, my lungs were slowly and quietly ravaged. For me whatever I did, it seemed to just keep plugging away albeit with few symptoms until my lungs packed it in.
It is unfortunate what happened to your friend. But it does not mean it will happen to you. All one has to do is to read reviews of any kind of medication there will always be those who had zero to few side effects and those who had serious side effects. RA can be silent yet so very destructive. Please talk to your Rhuematologist about your concerns Izb1 . xx 🙋💓
Interesting. I’ve had RA for 12 years. My lung function tests show a mixed restrictive and obstructive pattern which they’ve put down to my actual lung condition or my neuro condition.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Decline in Lung Function Study
Spirometry 
Reassurance for Husband
Help Needed with spirometry results?
Spirometry Results.
