Pulmonary changes on high-resolution computed tomography of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their association with clinical, demographic, serological and therapeutic variables.

Background: Extra-articular manifestations are found in up to 50% of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: To assess the prevalence of pulmonary changes on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in patients with RA and their association with demographic, clinical, serological and therapeutic variables.

Method: Seventy-one patients with RA were assessed regarding their age at RA onset, duration of disease, gender, tobacco use, presence of rheumatoid nodules, secondary Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid factor, presence of anti-CCP and antinuclear factor, respiratory complaints, use of medications, and pulmonary changes on HRCT.