Table 1 General characteristics of the population of patients with early RA without known related pulmonary disease
Age, mean (SD) | 46.49 (17.09) |
Female gender, n (%) | 69 (83.1) |
Comorbidities | |
Past or current somker, n (%) | 42 (50.6) |
Previous respiratory disease, n (%) | 20 (25%) |
Cariovascular disease, n (%) | 4 (4.82) |
Symptoms | |
Dyspnea greater than I mMRC, n (%) | 12 (15.6) |
Months with dyspnea, median (IQR) | |
Cough, n (%) | 15 (18.7) |
Any symptom, n (%) | 25 (30.12) |
Physical exam | |
Ronchus, n (%) | 2(2.5) |
Wheezing, n (%) | 2 (2.5) |
Crackles, n (%) | 6 (7.5) |
Digital clubbing, n (%) | 6 (7.5) |
Abnormal physical exam, n (%) | 13 (15.6) |
Lung function tests | |
FVC%, mean (SD) | 90.4(13.9) |
FVC% < 80, n (%) | 7 (8.42) |
FEV1/FVC < 70%, n (%) | 5 (6.02) |
TLC%, mean (SD) | 107.6 (15.3) |
TLC% < 80, n (%) | 1 (1.2%) |
RV/TLC% > 120, n (%) | 12 (14.4) |
DLCO%, mean (SD) | 104.9 (24.42) |
DLCO% < 80, n (%) | 12 (14.4) |
HRCT findings | |
Airway compromise, n (%) | 57/79 (72.15) |
Interstitial compromise, n (%) | 6/79 (7.5) |
Emphysema, n (%) | 10/79 (12.6) |
Auto-antibodies and inflammatory parameters | |
ANA, n (%) | 48/64 (75) |
ACPAs, n (%) | 61/68 (89.7) |
RF, n (%) | 59/68 (86.7) |
ESR, median (IQR) | 28.5 (21–48) |
CRP, median (IQR) | 1.64 (0.74–8) |
Articular evaluation | |
CDAI, median (IQR) | 18 (11–24) |
DAS28, mean (SD) | 4.53 (1.35) |
HAQ, mean (SD) | 1.38(0.8) |
Extra articular compromise | |
Sicca syndrome, n (%) | 18 (21.95) |
Rheumatoid nodules, n (%) | 1 (1.22) |
Treatment | |
Methotrexate, n (%) | 50 (60.9) |
Leflunomide, n (%) | 7 (8.5) |