Effect of rituximab on the progression of rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease: 10 years' experience at a single centre.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of rituximab (RTX) in patients with RA-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and identify factors associated with outcome after treatment.

Methods: An observational study of patients with RA-ILD was conducted from a cohort of RTX-treated RA patients in a single centre for >10 years. Progression was defined by any of the following: a decrease of pre-RTX forced vital capacity (FVC) >10% or diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) >15% predicted, worsening of the ILD score or death from progressive ILD.