No replies to this topic

[Dee]

In Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lung Changes Are Present In Nearly Half Of ACPA Positive Patients At Disease Onset


A new study presented at EULAR 2012, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism, shows that lung changes in association with anti-citrullinated protein autoantibody (ACPA) status are a primary manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Study findings show that 51% of RA patients (n=105) had identifiable lung changes (as measured by high resolution computer tomography [HRCT]) as compared to 28% of healthy controls (n=43). In addition, ACPA presence - but not smoking status - was associated with HRCT changes. This demonstrates that lung abnormalities are more frequent in RA patients as compared to individuals without RA, but with comparable age, smoking status, gender and geographic area.

Read more about this here:
http://www.medicalne...ases/246356.php