Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a relatively common type of arthritis. The inflammation that it causes for the joints of a patient can be not only painful but also destructive. Early recognition and treatment are essential to prevent joint damage. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of several diseases in a category called ”collagen vascular diseases.” This group of diseases include lupus and scleroderma along with some others. Scleroderma is a disease that is characterized by wide spread scarring of many organs including the skin. All of the diseases in the category of collagen vascular diseases are characterized by inflammation that often leads to additional problems in many organs.
RA and scleroderma can affect lung function when the inflammatory process involves the lung tissue. The inflammation leads to scarring within the lung tissue which is irreversible. As the scarring advances the patient will develop shortness of breath because the lung become stiffer and harder to expand. The scarring also can prevent the lung from performing one of its main functions and that is to oxygenate the patient.
Scleroderma is probably the biggest offender causing lung scarring which we refer to as fibrosis. This disease may also affect the pulmonary vasculature which can result in elevation in pressures within the pulmonary blood vessels. This type of involvement can lead to serious heart complications and needs to be diagnosed early. Treatment is available for this condition.
Pulmonary function studies and oxygen testing along with aggressive treatment of the underlying disease is essential.
