Key clinical point: Diagnostic delay was an independent predictor of mortality in RA patients with interstitial lung disease in a multivariate analysis.
Major finding: Diagnostic delay was significantly associated with increased risk of mortality in adults with RA and interstitial lung disease (hazard ratio 1.11), along with age, severe oxygen desaturation on effort (SatO2) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO); with hazard ratios of 1.33, 0.85, and 0.62, respectively.
Study details: The data come from a multicenter study of 106 consecutive adults with rheumatoid arthritis and interstitial lung disease.
Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.
Source: Cano-Jiménez E et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 28. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88734-2.