England BR, et al. - Researchers evaluated the effect of chronic lung diseases (CLD) on survival in 2,053 predominantly male (91%) individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Findings suggested a significant increase in the risk of mortality risk patients with RA and CLD. They noted the attributability of the risk not only to interstitial lung disease, but also to other chronic lung conditions. They did not find the risk seen to be substantially greater in those receiving methotrexate or biologic therapies. As a means of improving long-term outcomes in RA, the authors suggested targeting comorbid lung disease.