Pulmonary fibrosis that develops within a subpopulation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder of unknown etiology. Although previous reports suggest that some individuals with rheumatoid arthritis have a genetic predisposition to the development of fibrotic lung disease, genetic factors have not been clearly identified. It is the intent of this clinical protocol to identify genetic polymorphisms in individuals with pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a condition in which the lungs of a patient become scarred and fibrous. It has been known to occur in as many as 40% of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The cause of the pulmonary fibrosis in patients with RA is unknown.~Data gathered from previous research studies suggest that genetics may play a role in the development of PF in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the actual genetic factors involved in the disease process have not been identified.~The goal of this study is to identify the genetic markers in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.