Diffuse alveolar damage in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis under prolonged leflunomide treatment
Journal
Medicine (United States)
Journal Volume
95
Journal Issue
26
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have pulmonary involvement, and interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the primary manifestation, in which diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is a rare histopathologic pattern. Leflunomide (LEF) is a frequently prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for treating RA. LEF-related ILD in the form of DAD has been reported in patients with RA, with the duration of LEF treatment before symptom onset ranging from 6 to 1204 days. We present a case of elderly woman with RA under prolonged LEF treatment for >9 years (3291 days), who had acute respiratory failure with the initial presentation of exertional dyspnea, fever, chills, and productive cough for 2 days. The histopathologic result of surgical lung biopsy was compatible with DAD. She was diagnosed as having LEF-related ILD, based on correlated clinical history, compatible histopathologic examination and excluding possible infection after extensive survey. Although the causative role of LEF cannot be confirmed, this case still hints that LEF-related DAD may occur even if LEF has been prescribed for a prolonged period. ? 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
SDGs
Other Subjects
ceftriaxone; cotrimoxazole; cyclosporin; leflunomide; levofloxacin; methotrexate; methylprednisolone; prednisolone; antirheumatic agent; isoxazole derivative; leflunomide; acute respiratory failure; aged; blood culture; bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; case report; chill; community acquired pneumonia; computer assisted tomography; coughing; diffuse alveolar damage; drug substitution; drug withdrawal; dyspnea; female; fever; follow up; histopathology; human; interstitial lung disease; lung auscultation; lung biopsy; lung injury; lung resection; medical history; Pneumocystis pneumonia; priority journal; Review; rheumatoid arthritis; thorax radiography; tracheal aspiration procedure; treatment response; urea nitrogen blood level; very elderly; wedge resection; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; chemically induced; interstitial lung disease; lung alveolus; time factor; Aged, 80 and over; Antirheumatic Agents; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Female; Humans; Isoxazoles; Lung Diseases, Interstitial; Pulmonary Alveoli; Time Factors
Publisher
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Type
review