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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 1999; 20(2): 139-147
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1009455
Copyright © 1999 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

The Lung in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Clive Anthony Kelly
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
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Publication History

Publication Date:
20 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The pulmonary manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis include pleural effusion, pulmonary nodules with or without Caplans syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, and airways disease. Diseases of the small airways include bronchiolitis obliterans, bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia and bronchiectasis. The heterogeneity of pulmonary presentations in rheumatoid arthritis make management difficult. The diagnositic tools to make those differentiations and effect appropriate treatment are presented.

Key Words:

pleural disease - interstitial lung disease - nodules - airways disease