A Case of Interstitial Lung Disease in a patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

This case report presents a unique instance of interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurring in a 60-year-old female patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) of the interstitium, which is the tissue that surrounds the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs which typically affects the lung's ability to function properly. The correlation between ILD and RA has garnered increasing attention in recent years, as studies have highlighted the significant impact of ILD on the morbidity and mortality of RA patients. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a recognized extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting the joints.  The patient presented with persistent dry cough and exertional dyspnea, graded as MMRC grade 2, with a gradual onset of symptoms. This case underscores the importance of vigilance for respiratory manifestations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, particularly in those with multiple comorbidities, to ensure timely diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease.

interstitial lung disease; interstitium; fibrosis; dyspnea; rheumatoid arthritis