Correlation between anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies (Anti-CCP) and percentage and type of pulmonary involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Booali Hospital Tehran (2016-2021)

Controlling the pulmonary involvement, as one of the most common extra-articular consequences in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can improve the life quality and survival rate of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between disease-related inflammatory factors and the severity and type of lung involvement in patients, which is a practical step toward early detection and treatment of RA-related pulmonary problems.

During 2016-2021, 310 RA patients with pulmonary involvement-related symptoms were studied at Booali Hospital in Tehran. During four separate visits, patients' demographic information and inflammatory factors such as anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and anti-cyclic citrulline antibodies (Anti-CCP) were assessed. High-resolution CT scans and chest radiographs were performed on all patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS21 software. P<0.05 was considered as the significance level.

Patients with and without pulmonary involvement had a mean age of 54±13 and 49±13 years, respectively. 35 patients (45.4%) had interstitial lung disease, 21 patients (27.2%) had pulmonary nodules, 3 patients (4%) had atelectasis, 11 patients (14.3%) had bronchitis, and 7 patients (9.1 %) had pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. Correlation between anti-CCP and RF inflammatory factors and the prevalence and type of pulmonary involvement was significant (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the ANA index and demographic data among RA patients with pulmonary involvement.

Inflammatory factors including anti-CCP and RF may help predict the severity and pulmonary complications prognosis in RA patients.