[Interstitial pulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritis. Analysis by bronchoalveolar lavage].
We analyzed the results of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 14 patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ten patients had total cell counts above 10 x 10(6)/100 ml and or more than 10% lymphocytes in differential counts. 40% of patients with normal clinical findings on pulmonary examination and normal A-a O2 gradients had abnormal BAL findings. These findings support the theory that pulmonary fibrosis in patients with RA may start with alveolitis, probably a lymphocytic type in 60% of cases. BAL may help early diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Astorga
G
G
Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
Cuchacovich
M
M
Pacheco
S
S
Díaz
M
M
Gatica
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
Compromiso pulmonar intersticial en artritis reumatoide. Análisis por lavado bronco-alveolar.