Abstract
Clinical presentation of respiratory system damage in patients with RA is characterized by prolonged period of asymptomatic course which causes diagnostic difficulties. A frequent finding in this group of patients is obliteration of airways that leads to progressive bronchial obstruction. The diagnostic and treatment still need to be clarified.
The aim: of the study was to determine the frequency and pattern of lung disorders in patients with RA, evaluate the efficacy of the therapy of the ventilator disorders.
We involved 58 patients (13 men) with a documented diagnosis of RA. Patients had clinical examination, lung test functions. We found no connection between the character and severity of ventilatory disorders and activity of RA. Among all the patients - 36 (62,1%) had respiratory complaints. Deterioration of lung function (LF) was detected in 32 (56%) patients. Spirometry showed that 22 patients (37,9%) had a restriction ventilatory disorders (1a group). 10 (31,2%) had obstructive type of lung function disorders (1b group) and 22 hftients didn't have any changes of the lung functions (1c group). All patients of 1b group were prescribed bronchodilator therapy with consequent control of spirometry. After 6 weeks of treatment patients of 1b group was generally noted positive dynamics of functional parameters (FEV1, FVC) parameters.
| Group of patients | FEV1,% | PEF,% | FVC,% | FEV1/FVC |
| 1a(n=22) | 79.2±3,27 | 78,2±2,31 | 63,4±3,21 | 1,25±0,11 |
| 1b(n=10) | 54,2±2,10 | 58,4±4,23 | 93,1±4,21 | 0,58±0,09 |
| 1c(n=22) | 98,3±3,71 | 97,3±1,22 | 99,7±3,77 | 0,99±0,12 |
Dynamic of the lung function in patients with RA
Our work showed that patients with RA may have indications to bronchodilator therapy and have a need in dynamic control of LF.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
