{"id":1999,"date":"2022-09-29T08:37:25","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T07:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aimedicalcentre.com\/?p=1999"},"modified":"2025-02-21T08:52:06","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T08:52:06","slug":"rheumatoid-arthritis-can-lead-to-lung-fibrosis-which-can-cause-respiratory-failure-and-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aimedicalcentre.com\/en\/%e9%a1%9e%e9%a2%a8%e6%bf%95%e6%80%a7%e9%97%9c%e7%af%80%e7%82%8e%e5%8f%af%e4%bd%b5%e7%99%bc%e8%82%ba%e7%ba%96%e7%b6%ad%e5%8c%96-%e5%8f%af%e8%87%b4%e5%91%bc%e5%90%b8%e8%a1%b0%e7%ab%ad%e5%8f%8a%e6%ad%bb\/","title":{"rendered":"Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to pulmonary fibrosis, which can cause respiratory failure and death. Patients should be more aware and detect it early. A combination of medication and care can reduce deterioration."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dr Yvonne Yeung, Honorary Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong and specialist in rheumatology.
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Nearly 30,000 people in Hong Kong suffer from various rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.Specialists have indicated that rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease which, in addition to affecting joints throughout the body, can also cause damage to organs such as the muscles, heart and lungs. Among these patients, 10 to 20% may develop complications, including pulmonary fibrosis, from which recovery is difficult.Research indicates that among patients with rheumatoid arthritis complicated by pulmonary fibrosis, the mortality rate in the third and sixth years following diagnosis reaches 10 to 30%, with a median survival of no more than 8.2 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0Dr. Yeung Wan-yin, an Honorary Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong and a specialist in rheumatology, explained that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the patient's immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (the lining of the joints), causing inflammation. If the inflammation persists, it can lead to the thickening of the synovium, damaging related bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. This can trigger joint pain and swelling, and even affect joint function and cause deformities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immune system issues aren't just confined to the joints<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She continued, saying that rheumatoid arthritis is not exclusive to the elderly; the most common age group is between 30 and 50 years old, and women are 2 to 3 times more likely to contract the condition than men. The chance of contracting it increases greatly if there is a family history, and some research has also found that smoking increases the risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She stated that typical rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects small joints, such as the wrists, knuckles, and toes, and tends to be symmetrical. Some patients experience inflammation in large joints at the onset, such as the elbows, knees, and shoulders. In addition to affecting joint mobility, it can also cause discomfort in daily life, including morning stiffness, where joints become stiff upon waking in the morning, sometimes lasting all day, and frequent feelings of fatigue, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, and weight loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can lead to weakened lung function, respiratory failure and death<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many patients mistakenly believe that rheumatoid arthritis only affects the joints. Yang said it is a chronic disease that not only affects the joints throughout the body but also damages other organs such as muscles, the heart, lungs, skin, blood vessels, and nerves. It can even lead to interstitial lung disease, subsequently causing pulmonary fibrosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that currently, between 10 and 201 patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop complications, including pulmonary fibrosis, from which recovery is difficult;if patients do not receive appropriate treatment at an early stage, their lung function will continue to deteriorate, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue and, in severe cases, death from respiratory failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that studies have shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis complicated by pulmonary fibrosis have mortality rates of between 10 and 30% in the third and sixth years following diagnosis, with a median survival of no more than 8.2 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Yau, aged 72, worked in a blue-collar job when he was younger, requiring physical labour. He had long grown accustomed to aches and pains in his back and bones. However, morning stiffness became a daily occurrence upon waking. He had previously sought medical attention for joint pain, which eventually spread to the major and minor joints in his body, including his fingers, elbows, and knees, all of which caused him pain. After taking steroids for about a year, their effectiveness began to wane, and he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Due to the impact of his condition on his joint mobility, he found it difficult to walk and required double knee replacement surgery. However, five years ago, he developed shortness of breath, which was confirmed to be an onset of pulmonary fibrosis. He is now unable to perform physical labour or run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Yeung Wan-yin stated that there are currently various medications targeting different cell growth factors. By blocking the growth signals required for angiogenesis, these drugs can inhibit pulmonary fibrosis and the migration of growth factors, thereby reducing the risk of acute exacerbation. She mentioned that research has confirmed that patients using these medications can maintain their lung capacity for 52 weeks, which can slow down the severe deterioration of pulmonary fibrosis and lower the risk of death associated with the condition. However, she cautioned that all preventative and treatment methods have varying efficacy, side effects, and risks, and patients should consult their healthcare providers before starting any medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rheumatoid arthritis doesn't just attack joints! Severe cases can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and fatal respiratory failure! | etnet Economy
https:\/\/www.etnet.com.hk\/www\/tc\/health\/author\/healthyd\/LA80589?utm_source=website&utm_medium=copied-text<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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