In a prospective multicenter cohort of 95 patients with rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease, pulmonary function, high-resolution CT, and quantitative CT imaging metrics remained largely stable over 24 months despite an 8% mortality rate. The findings suggest that commonly used monitoring markers—such as forced vital capacity decline and imaging progression—may not reliably identify patients with mild rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease at higher risk of death, highlighting the need for improved prognostic models and monitoring strategies.

Source: BMJ Open Respiratory Research