Pleuritis can be part of arthritis

Q. My daughter, 24, who has rheumatoid arthritis, is now told byher doctor that she has it in the wall lining of her chest. This wasconfirmed by another doctor. I have never heard of it before, andwould like to have any information you can give me.

A. Rheumatoid arthritis is not an illness of joints alone. Itis a systemic disease, meaning that many body tissues and organs maybe affected by the basic inflammation process.

The lining tissue to which you refer is the pleura. Itcomprises delicate covering tissue that protects the lung surface,also allowing for the expansion and contraction with each breath.Some people with rheumatoid arthritis do develop this …