Caplan’s syndrome

Definition:
Inflammation and scarring of the lungs in people with rheumatoid arthritis who have exposure to coal dust.

Alternative Names:
Rheumatoid pneumoconiosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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.




Review Date: 12/6/2001
Reviewed By: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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