Interstitial lung disease, eosinophilia and rheumatoid arthritis

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can cause mortality and morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is no definite risk factor, guide or marker to obtain before examining lung with high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT). We studied eosinophil in RA patients if there is a relation with inflammation and ILD. We could not find any relation between eosinophil and inflammation. However, there was eosinophilia in all patients with ILD findings of HRCT. Increased numbers of eosinophil can be a risk factor for ILD in patients with RA. Nevertheless, it is still needed further studies to make such a conclusion.