Extraarticular (systemic) manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis

The authors present two clinical cases and review extraarticular manifestations (rheumatoid nodules, interstitial lung disease, nephropathy, rheumatoid vasculitis, etc.) that occurrs in a third of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and should influence treatment decisions. Unlike systemic manifestations, certain RA-associated disorders are related to persisting inflammation (cardiovascular complications, venous thromboembolism, anemia, psychiatric disorders) or can beinduced by drug treatment (interstitial lung disease induced by metothrexate or drug-induced nephropathy).

Key words

Rheumatoid arthritis, extraarticular manifestations, diagnosis, treatment