A new study published in the journal of Arthritis & Rheumatology revealed that a considerable elevated risk of severe infection across anatomic locations and a variety of pathogen types is linked to rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung disease (RA-LD), especially RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Using the MGB Biobank (Boston, Massachusetts), researchers performed a retrospective cohort study that matched RA-LD patients by age, sex, and length of RA to RA patients without lung disease (RA-no LD). Medical record review and chest imaging for clinically evident RA-associated bronchiectasis (RA-BR) and/or RA-ILD were used to confirm RA-LD patients. Overall, serious infections involving several body parts and a broad spectrum of microorganisms are significantly more likely to occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-related lung disease, particularly interstitial lung disease. Risk of serious infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease or bronchiectasis: A comparative cohort study.