Rheumatoid Arthritis Associated with Pulmonary Fibrosis in Nigerians: Two Case Reports

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis may sometimes present with extra-articular involvement, pulmonary involvement is not common. Rheumatoid arthritis has been reported among Nigerians and extra-articular manifestations are rarely seen. One of the patients was misdiagnosed and mismanaged as a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis. The study is to demonstrate that rheumatoid arthritis is not as rare as previously reported in Nigeria and its pulmonary involvement can mimic tuberculosis or other granulomatous lung disorder. Clinical and serological acumen are necessary to distinguish between the two. Two diagnosed patients with rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary involvement seen at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), are hereby presented.