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What Does My Pulmonary Function Test Result Indicate?
My name is Barbara, I was diagnosed 19 yrs ago w/RA and over the years have had multiple bouts of bronchitis , now I have SOB & expiratory wheeze , had pulmonary function test showed no obstruction but signs of interstitial dz....is this the same as interstitial fibrosis?
Mon, 21 Nov 2016
Hello Barbara,
I read your message and understood your medical problem.
First, let me summarize your case:
- diagnosed 19 years ago with rheumatoid arthritis.
- multiple bouts of bronchitis over the years.
- now you have SOB and expiratory disease
Your pulmonary function test has shown signs of interstitial disease which is a condition that causes lung stiffness affecting the ability to breathe and causes the expiratory wheeze.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has many causes sometimes it is idiopathic and pulmonary fibrosis is just one type of ILDs.
In your case, your ILD is caused by the autoimmune reactions in your body due to rheumatoid arthritis progression. You need to pay attention and keep your RA under control. Also, frequent episodes of bronchitis may contribute in lung dysfunctions, but bronchitis usually predisposes for obstructive lung disease and not lung restriction.
My advice is to do frequent respiratory tests to periodic evaluation of lung function and take proper treatment for ILD. If left untreated it may progress to pulmonary fibrosis which is an irreversible condition.
Also, the most important step is controlling the RA which will protect your lungs as well. In this stage, you must start immunodepressants like methotrexate or immunomodulator to modulate the immune responses.
Please consult with a rheumatologist and a pulmonologist for the new changes in treatment.
Hope this is helpful for you.
Dr.Albana
I read your message and understood your medical problem.
First, let me summarize your case:
- diagnosed 19 years ago with rheumatoid arthritis.
- multiple bouts of bronchitis over the years.
- now you have SOB and expiratory disease
Your pulmonary function test has shown signs of interstitial disease which is a condition that causes lung stiffness affecting the ability to breathe and causes the expiratory wheeze.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has many causes sometimes it is idiopathic and pulmonary fibrosis is just one type of ILDs.
In your case, your ILD is caused by the autoimmune reactions in your body due to rheumatoid arthritis progression. You need to pay attention and keep your RA under control. Also, frequent episodes of bronchitis may contribute in lung dysfunctions, but bronchitis usually predisposes for obstructive lung disease and not lung restriction.
My advice is to do frequent respiratory tests to periodic evaluation of lung function and take proper treatment for ILD. If left untreated it may progress to pulmonary fibrosis which is an irreversible condition.
Also, the most important step is controlling the RA which will protect your lungs as well. In this stage, you must start immunodepressants like methotrexate or immunomodulator to modulate the immune responses.
Please consult with a rheumatologist and a pulmonologist for the new changes in treatment.
Hope this is helpful for you.
Dr.Albana
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