Rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease in a rheumatology centre in Malaysia: prevalence and its associated factors / Suhaili Shariffudin

Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of RA-ILD and identify its associated factors.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 156 RA patients who fulfilled 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria done from December 2020 to May 2021. Data on patient’s demographic, serologic markers, and treatment history was collected. Clinical characteristics and treatment history were analysed in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: 156 RA patients (female 90.4%) with mean age of 56.57 ± 13.19 were included in the study. Sixteen patients were diagnosed as having RA-ILD (10.3%). In univariate analysis, the factors associated with RA-ILD were older age (66.19 ± 9.40 vs 55.47 ± 13.14 years old, p=0.002), , Indian race (68.8% vs 29.3%, p=0.002), mMRC score of 2 to 4 (62.5% vs 12.1%, p<0.001) and not on Methotrexate (MTX) (68.8% vs 35%, p=0.013). In multivariate analysis, age (adjusted OR 1.09; p=0.026), Indian race (adjusted OR 8.05; p=0.005), mMRC score of 2 to 4 (adjusted OR 12.93; p<0.001) and patients who were not currently on MTX treatment (adjusted OR 0.15; p=0.009) were independent significant associated factors for RA-ILD. Conclusion: Factors associated with RA-ILD were older age, Indian race, higher mMRC score, and not currently on Methotrexate.