Factors associated with the presentation of respiratory diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a Colombian institution between 2012 and 2015

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1% of the world population, and up to 73% of patients present respiratory disorders. In Colombia, there are no studies evaluating the relationship between the presence of pulmonary disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. Objective: To determine the factors associated with respiratory diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Case-control study (1:2) in 125 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The mean age was 60.19 for cases and 53.15 years old for controls. 66.67% of cases and 86.75% of controls were female. The respiratory rate (RR), Disease Activity Score (DAS 28), smoking, exposure to biomass, dyspnea, weight loss and severe disease activity were higher in cases. The use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and leflunomide predominated in controls. The bivariate analysis showed statistical significance with positive correlation between respiratory disorders and age, sex, smoking, exposure to biomass, dyspnea, weight loss, RR, DAS 28 and severe disease activity. There was a statistically significant negative correlation with leflunomide and NSAIDs. The multivariate analysis showed statistical significance in patients older than 65 years old, exposure to biomass, cough, dyspnea, severe activity and use of NSAIDs. Discussion: The results obtained are similar to those found in other studies. In addition, the presence of exposure to biomass appears as a variable strongly associated with the presentation of pulmonary disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in our midst.