Predictors and Features of Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a rare autoimmune disorder. The study aimed to assess the predictors and features of interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Pulmonology Department of Ibn-e- Siena Hospital, Multan, from August 2024 to August 2025. 200 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography scan were included in the study by non-probability consecutive sampling. Based on the results of lung CT, patients were categorized according to the presence or absence of ILD. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 23. ANOVA, t-test and rank sum test were performed to assess quantitative variables, which were compared by x2 test. Statistical significance was set at a probability value of less than 0.05. Results: A total of 86 patients (43%) with RA had interstitial lung disease. The most frequent manifestation in patients with ILD was non-specific interstitial pneumonia pattern in 50 patients (58.2%). The biochemical parameters, including globulin (p=0.005), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (p=0.031), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.004), lactate dehydrogenase (p