28 Jul 2025 • A large study shows rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung disease (RA-LD) greatly raises infection risk, with serious infections over twice as common as in RA controls (55.8 vs. 25.8 per 1,000 person-years) and a 60% higher overall risk (sdHR 1.60).

The risk is driven by RA-interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD; sdHR 1.79), while RA-associated bronchiectasis shows a weaker, nonsignificant link (sdHR 1.19).

Infections, affecting pulmonary, skin, and ENT sites, were often due to influenza, RSV, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and nontuberculous mycobacteria, highlighting the need for close infection surveillance and preventive care, especially in RA-ILD patients.

Source: Arthritis & Rheumatology | Read Full Story