Evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis and connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease with pulmonary physiologic test, HRCT, and patient-based measures of dyspnea and functional disability

ConclusionsWe concluded that PROs could be used to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in RA- or CTD-related ILD. The physical health determinants of HRQoL are measurably worse in RA-ILD patients than in CTD patients. But, PROs may not be very helpful in differentiating patients with cough and/or shortness of breath due to ILD or non-ILD causes in RA/CTD.Key points• HRQoL may be affected differently among specific subtypes of ILD.• PROs can be used to evaluate dyspnea and function of patients with RA- or CTD-related ILD but are not distinguished from patients with cough and/or shortness of breath due to non-ILD causes in RA/CTD.
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research