Bronchiectasis and rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relation between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and bronchiectasis (BR).


METHODS
Disease activity, outcome, extra-articular manifestations, and laboratory features were compared in 32 patients with BR and RA (RA-BR group), 32 matched patients with RA without BR (RA group), and 31 patients with BR but without arthritis (BR group).


RESULTS
In 30 of the 32 (94%) patients with RA-BR, BR preceded RA. There was no functional or radiological difference between the RA-BR and RA groups, and except for xerophthalmia, which was more common in patients with RA-BR than patients with RA, there was no difference in extra-articular or laboratory features.


CONCLUSIONS
Bronchiectasis does not lead to a more aggressive disease course in RA and, despite the recognised association, BR is not an extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid disease.
McMahon
M J
MJ
Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, United Kingdom.
Swinson
D R
DR
Shettar
S
S
Wolstenholme
R
R
Chattopadhyay
C
C
Smith
P
P
Johns
P
P
Crosby
N H
NH
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D014797:Vital Capacity
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007136:Immunoglobulins