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Caplan's syndrome
Caplan's syndrome (or Caplan's disease) is a combination of rheumatoid arthritis and pneumoconiosis that manifests as intrapulmonary nodules, which appear homogenous and well-defined on chest X-ray.[1] Additional recommended knowledge
ClassificationSigns and symptomsThere is cough and shortness of breath. In addition there are the features of RA with painful joints and morning stiffness. Examination should reveal tender, swollen MCP joints and rheumatoid nodules; auscultation of the chest may reveal diffuse râles that do not disappear on coughing or taking a deep breath. CausesThe condition occurs in miners (especially those working in anthracite coal-mines), asbestosis, silicosis and other pneumoconioses. There is probably also a genetic predisposition and smoking is thought to be an aggravating factor. PathophysiologyDiagnosis
ManagementOnce tuberculosis has been excluded, treatment is with steroids. All exposure to coal dust must be stopped, and smoking cessation should be attempted. Rheumatoid arthritis should be treated normally with early use of DMARDs. PrognosisThe nodules may pre-date the appearance of rheumatoid arthritis by several years. Otherwise prognosis is as for RA; lung disease may remit spontaneously, but pulmonary fibrosis may also progress. EpidemiologyIncidence is currently 1 in 100,000 people but is likely to fall as the coal mining industry declines. HistoryCaplan's syndrome was originally described in coal miners with progressive massive fibrosis. References
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Caplan's_syndrome". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |