Duration of Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Risk of Developing Interstitial Lung Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that classically presents as a symmetric inflammatory polyarthritis. Extra-articular manifestations are prevalent, with the lungs being the most common site \[1], and interstitial lung disease (ILD) being the most severe form of pulmonary involvement. In some studies, the median survival of patients with RA and a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is around 3 years (similar to that in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [IPF\] \[2, 3\]); however, in other studies, median survival is greater than 7 years [4, 5]. When present, ILD accounts for 10–20% of all deaths in this patient population [6]. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the ERJ Open Research . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJOR online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. Mohning has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Amigues has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Demoruelle has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Fernandez Perez has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Huie has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Keith has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Olson has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Yunt has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Chung has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Hobbs has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Swigris has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Solomon has nothing to disclose.