Assessment of interstitial lung disease among black rheumatoid arthritis patients

ConclusionOur study indicates RA-ILD among Blacks is predominantly a disease of elderly females with higher rates of GERD and CVD risk factors. Further studies are needed to identify the pathogenetic differences accounting for the gender distribution of RA-ILD among Black and White populations.Key Points•First study to assess ILD among predominantly Black RA patients.•The prevalence of RA-associated ILD was 6.36%, affecting mostly women in their sixth decade with seropositive disease.•COPD was the most common airway disease among non-RA-ILD Black population.•GERD was found in approximately one-third of patients with RA-associated ILD versus one-fifth of those RA patients without any lung disease.
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research