AB0309 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RHEUMATIC DISEASE COMORBIDITY INDEX AND PULMONARY INVOLVEMENT IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

BackgroundPulmonary involvement is one of the primary contributors of morbi-mortality among patients followed for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) [1]. Comorbidities are also independent factors of poor outcomes on those debilitated population.ObjectivesWe aimed to assess association between comorbidity and pulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritisMethodsWe conducted a retrospective study in our rheumatology department including patients with established RA according to the ACR/EULAR 2010 criteria. Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index (RDCI) was calculated for each patient. Clinical characteristics, radiological findings, and respiratory function tests (PFTs) for pulmonary involvement were collected.ResultsThere were 255 patients: 212 female (83.1%) and 43 male (16.9%). The mean age was 58.92 ± 10.72 years [25-85]. The mean RDCI was 1.14 ± 1.25 [0-6]. Pulmonary involvement was noted in 115 patients (45.3%). It was asymptomatic in 50.6% of cases. Reported clinical symptoms were dyspnea (36.1%), chronic cough (8.4%), and dyspnea with chronic cough (4.8%).PFT showed a restrictive syndrome in 34.9% of cases, an obstructive syndrome in 4.8%, a mixed syndrome 3.6% and was normal in 56.6% of patients. Non-specific interstitial pneumonia was noted in 26.6% of patients, followed by nodular lung disease in 11.4 %, usual interstitial pneumonia in 11.4%, BOOP in 6.3%, and then pleural nodules in 6.3%.An association was noted between RDCI and pulmonary involvement (presence: 1.7 ± 1.3 vs absence: 0.6 ± 0.8, p<10-3).ConclusionIn conclusion, there was an elevated comorbidity index in patients with pulmonary involvement. Comorbidities may be a predictive factor of extra-articular manifestations. The early management may improve outcomes in RA patients.References[1]Hyldgaard C, Hilberg O, Pedersen AB, Ulrichsen SP, Løkke A, Bendstrup E, et al.A population-based cohort study of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: comorbidity and mortality. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(10):1700–1706.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared