Radiographic airway abnormalities in untreated early rheumatoid arthritis are associated with peripheral neutrophil activation
Authors' conclusion
We report a strong association between radiographic airway findings and activation of circulating neutrophils in early RA supporting a role of innate immunity and the lung at disease onset.
Study context
- Population
- Untreated early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients positive for anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) and/or rheumatoid factor (RF), at diagnosis
- Participants
- 30 consecutive patients
- Exposure
- PA on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) vs no PA
- Outcome
- Association between peripheral neutrophil phenotypes and PA on chest HRCT
- Follow-up
- At diagnosis
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients, HRCT at diagnosis, flow cytometry
- Consecutive patients
- HRCT at diagnosis
- Flow cytometry
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Neutrophil activation markers, PA vs no PA (univariate)
- Increased
- fold difference, CD11b expression on neutrophils 1.2-fold; P = 0.014
- Decreased
- fold difference, CD62L expression on neutrophils 0.8-fold; P = 0.012
- Increased
- fold difference, RF IgM titre 5.7-fold; P = 0.0025
- Increased
- fold difference, CRP 2.3-fold; P = 0.0035
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Frequency of pulmonary abnormalities on HRCT · at diagnosis
- Any PA
- 60%
- Airway abnormalities
- 50%
- Parenchymal nodules
- 43%
- Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA)
- 10%
Original publication
Radiographic airway abnormalities in untreated early rheumatoid arthritis are associated with peripheral neutrophil activation. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 20 March 2023. doi:10.
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