Rheumatoid pleuritis

Rheumatoid Pleuritis

Rheumatoid pleuritis (pronunciation: /ˌruːməˈtɔɪd ˈplʊərɪtɪs/), also known as rheumatoid pleurisy, is a medical condition characterized by the inflammation of the pleura, the membrane surrounding the lungs, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Etymology

The term "rheumatoid" is derived from the Greek words "rheumatos" (meaning "flowing") and "eidos" (meaning "form"), referring to the characteristic fluid accumulation in the joints in rheumatoid arthritis. "Pleuritis" comes from the Greek "pleura," which means "side" or "rib," and "-itis," a common suffix in medicine used to denote inflammation.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rheumatoid pleuritis may include chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be similar to those of other lung diseases, making diagnosis challenging.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of rheumatoid pleuritis often involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests such as chest X-ray or CT scan. In some cases, a pleural biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for rheumatoid pleuritis typically involves managing the underlying rheumatoid arthritis with medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Related Terms

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Pleura
• Pleurisy
• Pleural Effusion
• Pleural Biopsy

See Also

• Lung Diseases
• Inflammatory Diseases
• Autoimmune Diseases

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Rheumatoid pleuritis
• Wikipedia's article - Rheumatoid pleuritis

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