Pulmonary function tests and pathological profile of the airways in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on 16 patients [10 patients with RA and 6 patients with SLE] to evaluate the effects of RA and SLE on bronchial tree with special emphasis on physiological and pathological changes. All patients were subjected to routine laboratory investigations, complete pulmonary function tests using Morgan transfer apparatus with Della computer, BAL and bronchial biopsies were taken via FOB Olympus BF type B10. The results of this study revealed abnormal airway functions evidenced by reduction in FEV[1] FEF[25-75%] and PEER with consequent increase in RV and RV/TLC. BAL and bronchial biopsy showed the involvement of bronchial tree in these immune complex diseases as evidenced by different patterns of cellular infiltrations, epithelial changes and vasculitic processes