Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) classically affects the joints, but can present extra-articular manifestations, including pulmonary disease. The present study aimed to identify possible risk factors or laboratory markers for lung involvement in RA, particularly the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA), and tumor markers, by correlating them with changes observed on chest high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT). This cross-sectional study involved RA patients who were examined and questioned by a specialist physician and later subjected to chest HRCT and blood collection for measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), ACPA (anti-vimentin and/or anti-CCP3), and the tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 125, CA 15-3, and CA 19-9. A total of 96 patients underwent chest HRCT. The most frequent findings were bronchial thickening (27/28.1 %) and bronchiectasis (25/26 %). RF was present in 63.2 % of patients (55/87), and ACPA (anti-vimentin or anti-CCP3) was present in 72.7 % of patients (64/88). CEA levels were high in 14 non-smokers (37.8 %) and 23 smokers (62.2 %). CA-19-9 levels were high in 6 of 86 patients (7.0 %), CA 15-3 levels were high in 3 of 85 patients (3.5 %), and CA 125 levels were high in 4 of 75 patients (5.3 %). Multivariate analysis indicated a statistically significant association between high CEA levels and the presence of airway changes in patients with RA (p = 0.048). CEA can serve as a predictor of lung disease in RA and can help identify individuals who require more detailed examination for the presence of respiratory disorders.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.