Airflow limitation is a frequent finding in patients with rheumatic disease.
Small peripheral airways were found to be the site of obstruction
detected on lung function test We tried to find out if the airflow limitation
detected in patients with active RA could be reversable during the periods
of remission. Pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEVI / FEVI / FVC and
FEF2596 -75) of 12 female patients with active RA were compared with
12 age and sex matched control subjects and with 12 female patients in
remission. All subjects were long life non smokers. Patients with active
RA showed sign&antly lower values of actual (PVC, Fag and FEF2596
7596) as well as the ctctual/predected% of (FEVi. FEV /PVC and FEF25%
75%) than controL During remission, pulmonary function tests showed no
significant improvement except in FVC (Actual / predected%) and FEV
(actual and actual / predected 96). We conclude that airflow limitation in
small peripheral airways is a frequent finding in patients with active R. A.
and it is mostly an irriversable process. |
