dEtection of rheumAtoid aRthritis - Interstitial Lung dIseasE by Thoracic ultRasound
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect various organs, including the lungs, and lead to rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). RA-ILD is responsible for increased mortality in rheumatoid arthristis (RA) patients. The prevalence of RA-ILD varies according to the screening tool used. The current gold standard is chest CT, but this is an expensive, time-consuming and irradiating examination, and recommendations on when and how often it should be performed are not clearly established. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is an emerging tool for the detection of lung parenchymal damage, particularly in systemic scleroderma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). LUS is a non-irradiating, non-expensive examination that can be performed rapidly. The aim of our study is to evaluate LUS as a screening tool for RA-ILD, in patients with risk factors for developing RA-ILD.
• Adult patient (age \> 18 years) followed at CHU of Tours
• Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis validated according to ACR 2010 criteria, EULAR classification, regardless of time since diagnosis
• Patient who has had or will have a thoracic CT scan and PFT performed as part of routine care in the 6 months preceding or following inclusion
• Patient with at least two risk factors for developing RA-ILD among :
‣ Male sex or
⁃ Active or former smoker assessed at 20 pack-year or
⁃ Age \> 60 years or
⁃ Levels of RF≥3N (rheumatoid factor) and/or anti-CCP≥3N (antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides) at diagnosis or at any time during the course of the disease or
⁃ High RA activity score (DAS28\>3.2)