Caplan's Syndrome

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Caplan's syndrome is inflammation and scarring of the lungs in people with rheumatoid arthritis who have been exposed to coal dust.

Contents 1 Causes 2 Symptoms 3 Signs and Tests 4 Treatment 5 Prognosis 6 Complications

[edit] Causes

Inhalation of coal dust causes inflammation and scarring of the lung. Persons with rheumatoid arthritis are more prone to develop larger areas of inflammation and scarring in response to coal dust. Caplan's syndrome is very rare in the USA.

[edit] Symptoms

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Nodules of the skin (rheumatoid nodules)
• Joint swelling and pain

[edit] Signs and Tests

A physical exam, with special attention paid to the presence of joint and skin disease, will be performed. Other tests that may aid in the diagnosis include:

• Chest x-ray
• Joint x-rays
• Pulmonary function tests
• Rheumatoid factor titer test

[edit] Treatment

There is no specific treatment for Caplan's syndrome. It is important to treat the rheumatoid arthritis.

[edit] Prognosis

Coal worker's pneumoconiosis uncommonly causes significant breathing difficulty or disability. Persons with Caplan's syndrome may be at increased risk for tuberculosis (TB), and should be screened for exposure to TB.

[edit] Complications

• Side effects of medications
• Increased risk for tuberculosis
• Progressive massive fibrosis (scarring)