AIM OF THE STUDY:
The Aim of the study was to assess the early involvement of lung in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.
METHODS AND MATERIALS:
For this study, 40 normal control group in the age group
between 25-55 years and 40 patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis of <5 yrs duration as study group were selected as per American Association Criteria of Rheumatology. This Study was conducted at Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur. The
Study group was from the Thanjavur Medical College & Hospital, Thanjavur.
Patients with Diabetes Mellitus, Alcoholism, Neuropathy, Chronic Tuberculosis, Carcinoma lung, Metabolic disorders and other connective tissue disorders were excluded. Informed written consent were obtained from the patients of Thanjavur Medical College & Hospital.Ethical committee
approval obtained before starting the study.
In this study, FVC, FEV 1, FEV 1/FVC, MVV and PEFR were
compared and statistically analyzed.
RESULTS:
The results showed statistically significantly reduced pulmonary function parameters FEV₁, FVC, MVV & PEFR (P<0.05). However FEV₁/FVC (%) was mildly increased which was not statistically significant in Rheumatoid arthritis patients.
CONCLUSION:
The result of the present study shows that there is a decrease in pulmonary function in Rheumatoid arthritis patients when compared with healthy controls
