Rheumatoid interstitial lung disease in Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand - A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), is an important extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The frequency, risk factors, and prognosis of RA-ILD are incompletely understood.

Aims: To determine the prevalence and incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors for development, and outcomes of persons with RA-ILD in the population of the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) catchment area.

Rheumatoid interstitial lung disease in Canterbury New Zealand: prevalence, risk factors and long-term outcomes-protocol for a population-based retrospective study.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects approximately 0.5%-1% of the general population. Clinically significant interstitial lung diseases (ILD) develops in just under 10% of people with RA, and subclinical disease is more common.