Table 5

Pulmonary function tests in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with and without fibrosing alveolitis (FA)

Characteristic FA (n=28) No FA (n=122) p Value
Mean (SD) FEV1 (l)2.2 (0.7)2.2 (0.79)0.7125-150
Mean (SD) FEV1/FVC (%)77 (10.41)72.3 (10.2)0.0245-150
Mean (SD)Tlco 59.8 (18.37)74.3 (20.34)<0.0015-150
Mean (SD) % predicted Tlcocorrected for haemoglobin63 (20.05)77.6 (21.48)0.0015-150
Percentage FVC <80% predicted (n)7230.645-151
Tlco <75% predicted (n)23630.0065-151
RV <80% predicted (n)10330.495-151
VC <80% predicted (n)8180.145-151

  • FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC = forced vital capacity; Tlco = carbon monoxide transfer factor; RV = residual volume; VC = vital capacity.

  • ↵5-150 Mann-Whitney U test.

  • ↵5-151 χ2 test.