# Advances in the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Integrating Conventional Tools and Emerging Biomarkers

**Authors:** Jing’an Bai, Fenghua Yu, Xiaojuan He

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/ijms27031165 · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2026-01-23

## TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in diagnosing lung disease linked to rheumatoid arthritis, focusing on imaging, AI, and biomarkers.

## Contribution

The paper provides an updated review of diagnostic strategies for RA-ILD, emphasizing 2025 guidelines and emerging technologies.

## Key findings

- High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) remains central to diagnosing RA-ILD.
- Artificial intelligence shows promise in improving HRCT-based diagnosis of RA-ILD.
- New biomarkers are being validated to enhance early detection of RA-ILD.

## Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is one of the most common extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a leading cause of mortality in RA patients. The diverse and nonspecific clinical presentations of RA-ILD make early diagnosis particularly challenging. In recent years, with a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of RA-ILD and rapid advancements in medical imaging, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and biomarker research, notable progress has been achieved in the diagnostic approaches for RA-ILD. This review summarizes the latest research developments in the diagnosis of RA-ILD, with a focus on the clinical practice guidelines released in 2025. It discusses the application of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), the potential of AI in assisting HRCT-based diagnosis, and the discovery and validation of biomarkers. Furthermore, the review addresses current diagnostic challenges and explores future directions, providing clinicians and researchers with a cutting-edge perspective on RA-ILD diagnosis.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** rheumatoid arthritis (MONDO:0008383), rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (MONDO:0004586), interstitial lung disease (MONDO:0015925)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** RA (MESH:D001172), RA-ILD (MESH:D017563)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

106 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12898042/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12898042