Assessment of interstitial lung disease among black rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background Conflicting reports exist regarding the racial and the gender distribution of rheumatoid arthritis–related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). In a major population study of predominately Whites, RA-ILD was reported mainly among smoker middle-aged men. However, recent data suggest that the disease is that of elderly women. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify the gender differences and clinical characteristics of RA-ILD in a predominantly Black population.