Detecting respiratory impairment in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis by MRC dyspnoea scale and microfibrillar-associated protein 4.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To evaluate the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea scale and serum Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) levels for the detection of respiratory impairment in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Patients underwent blood tests, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and dyspnoea assessment using the MRC scale. Respiratory impairment was defined as a diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) <80% predicted or FEV1/FVC <70%. The primary outcomes were the MRC and MFAP4's sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

One hundred and thirty-one patients had available baseline tests. Mean age was 57.7 years (SD: 10.9), 61% were female, and 45% had respiratory impairment. For

SUBMITTER: Sofiudottir BK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11749244 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature