Pulmonary function of nonsmoking patients with giant cell arteritis and/or polymyalgia rheumatica; a controlled study

The pulmonary function of 26 nonsmoking patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and/or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) was evaluated and the results were compared with those of 28 age and sex matched nonsmoking controls. Normal function was observed in 30.8% of the patients and 50% of the controls (p=non significant). Isolated small airways disease (SAD) was detected in a high percentage of the patients (46.2%), but not significantly different from that of the controls (50%). Its clinical significance remains to be answered. Obstructive, restrictive and diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD) was seen in one, three and two patients respectively, but was absent in the control population. All the patients had a normal chest radiograph and were asymptomatic, except for three. Two of them had normal respiratory function and one DILD. It is speculated that DILD and restrictive disease, seen only in patients with biopsy proven GCA, may be related to the underlying process.