title: Interstitial lung disease related to rheumatoid arthritis: evolution after treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the evolution of lung function in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) treated according to the medical judgment of attending physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort of RA patients with ILD, defined by a restrictive pattern in lung function tests and evidence of ILD in high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Patients had an assessment of lung function including spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and HRCT. At a minimum of 4 months of follow up, a second assessment of lung function was done. All patients received a high dose of prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) scheme for 6 weeks with a reduction scheme ending with a dose of 10 mg/day of prednisone at about 6-8 months of follow up. Methotrexate was used in 18/40 (45%) patients and leflunomide or azathioprine or both were indicated in 22/40 (55%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty patients were identified. An indeterminate pattern with diffuse ground glass and reticulation images (50%) was the most prevalent pattern on HRCT scans. At a minimum of 4 months of follow up, an improvement in basal FVC values was observed (median (IQR)) 1.47 Lts. (0.99-1.91) vs 1.66 Lts. (1.37-2.1)), P<0.004. Patients with lower Kazerooni scores for fibrosis (<0.47) had a better improvement in the FVC values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with RA and ILD may have an improvement in the FVC after a treatment with high doses of corticosteroids and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
authors.affiliation: Servicio Clínico de Enfermedades Intersticiales del Pulmón, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Ismael Cosío Villegas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico. jrojas@iner.gob.mx
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rojas-Serrano
authors.forename: Edilzar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: González-Velásquez
authors.forename: Mayra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mejía
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrillo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077339:Leflunomide; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate