RHEUMATOID LUNG DISEASE: • RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). • Pleural disease (pleural thickening/effusions). • Airway disease (Both upper & lower airway). • Rheumatoid nodules • Drug-induced lung toxicity (i.e., Methotrexate-induced lung injury) • Fibro-bullous disease • Thoracic cage immobility • Venous thromboembolic disease • Vasculitis • Pneumonia. RHEUMATOID EFFUSION: • WCC <5000/mm3 • Fluid glucose <60 mg/Dl • Pleural fluid to serum glucose ratio < 0.5 • pH < 7.3 • High pleural LDH level (ie, > 700 IU/L) • Cytology: Slender or elongated multinucleated macrophages, round giant multinucleated macrophages, and necrotic background debris. Pulmonary function testing in ILD (PFT): • Reduced VC, lung volumes, & DLCO. • Oxygen desaturation during exercise. • Restrictive abnormalities common (poor muscle strength or kyphosis due to osteoporosis rather than ILD). #ILD #RA #Rheumatoidlungdisease #rheumatoid #effusion
