ACR 2022 Tweet by Bella Mehta

RA-ILD represents the most severe extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis, affecting an estimated 1% of the adult population in the US and Northern Europe. Prevalence estimates vary widely  (up to 58%), reflecting different diagnostic criteria, imaging modalities, and study…

RA-ILD remains one of the most serious extra-articular manifestations of RA, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. Two abstracts presented at EULAR 2026 add important insights into identifying patients at risk for RA-ILD and understanding the genetic mechanisms that may underpin disease development.

At EULAR 2026, speakers of the session “Catching Your Breath: Unravelling RA Associated Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)” noted RA-ILD is one of the few outcomes not improving in the biologic era. Three abstracts reinforce that message and make the case for a practical, low-cost screening tool that is already in most rheumatologists’ hands.