Case Reports
7 May 2025

Pulmonary nodules in rheumatoid arthritis: the case of leflunomide

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily affecting joints. Extra-articular manifestations, including pulmonary involvement, significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are crucial for RA treatment but may also have pulmonary side effects. The differentiation between pulmonary RA manifestations, infection in the immunosuppressed patient, and drug-induced pulmonary toxicity remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This report presents a rare case of accelerated pulmonary nodulosis associated with leflunomide therapy, emphasizing the need for careful differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed patients.

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How to Cite



Pulmonary nodules in rheumatoid arthritis: the case of leflunomide. (2025). Italian Journal of Medicine, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2025.1964