YUVA Journal of Medical Sciences
Vol 1 (1) March 2015, pg 01-02
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE
AND PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS
Dr. J. D. Lakhani*** Dr. Arti Muley** Dr. Jignesh Lodhari* Dr. Abhinam Patel*
***Professor and HOD, **Associate Professor, *Medicine Resident
Department of Medicine, S.B.K.S.M.I. and R.C.
Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat
INTRODUCTION
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition of unknown etiology. It may result
in variety of extra-articular manifestations including respiratory manifestations. It mainly involves pleura but
can also affect lung parenchyma in form of interstitial lung disease. However, pulmonary tuberculosis in a case
of rheumatoid arthritis is not seen commonly. There are two studies which reported occurrence of pulmonary
tuberculosis in patients of RA probably because of reduced immunity related to treatment with steroids and
eternacept. However, there is rarity of such reports from developing countries.
CASE
A 45 year old female, a known case of RA since three years on maintenance steroid therapy (Prednisolone 10
mg daily), hydroxy chloroquine (HCQ) 200mg twice daily and calcium 500mg once daily, presented to us with
history of breathlessness since two months. It was insidious in onset, gradually progressive and increased on
exertion. Low grade, continuous fever was also present. She had cough with minimal whitish expectoration. It
was associated with multiple joint pains of both upper limbs involving small joints of hands and left ankle and
knee joint. Morning stiffness was present with no joint deformity.
ON EXAMINATION
She was febrile with temperature 100⁰F and pulse was 110/min. Her blood pressure was 106/70mmhg. Pallor
was present but no clubbing, cyanosis, icterus, lymphadenopathy or oedema was noted.
On systemic examination (Respiratory): There were bilateral coarse crepitations in midzone and basal area.
Rest of the examination was normal.
INVESTIGATION
Hemoglobin-8.1mg%, Total leucocytes count -10,000 cell/cumm, Erythrocyte Sediment Rate-40, Malaria
parasite-negative, Creatinine-1.5 mg%, urea-54 mg%, RA- strongly positive (146). AFB in sputum POSITIVE
(2+).
X-ray Chest PA view - Multiple bilateral reticular nodular patterns was seen in mid and lower zone.
High Resolution CT - Suggestive of bilateral lung parenchymal and interstitial pulmonary nodules in upper
lobe with central cavitation.
Fig 1: X-ray Chest PA view
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YUVA Journal of Medical Sciences
Vol 1 (1) March 2015, pg 01-02
Fig 2: High Resolution CT
TREATMENT
Patient was treated with anti tubercular drugs with Rifampicin 600mg once daily(OD), Isoniazide 300mg OD,
Pyrizinamide 1200mg OD , Ethambutol 750mg OD, Prednisolon 40mg OD, HCQ 200 BD.
DISCUSSION
RA has been associated with an increased risk of TB. The immunosuppressive therapies to treat RA, may lead to
the development of TB in patients with latent infection that may otherwise have been prevented. Indeed, cases
of active TB in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have recently been reported, and this has brought about a
renewed interest in the relationship between the two diseases.
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3. Bouza E, Moya JG, Munoz P. Infections in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Infect
Dis Clin North Am 2001;25:1900-7. [MEDLINE]
4. Kim HA, Yoo CD, Baek HJ, et al. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a corticosteroid-treated
rheumatic disease patient population. Clin Exp Rheumatol 1998;16:9-13. [MEDLINE]
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arthritis. J Rheumatol 2003;30:1436-9.
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