Pleural Effusion in Rheumatoid Arthritis

AN association between rheumatoid arthritis and pleural effusion has been recognized for many years, but only in 1960 were the extremely low glucose values of the effusions pointed out as characteristic of rheumatoid pleurisy.1 Glucose levels below 20 mg. per 100 ml. in rheumatic pleural fluids are common and, in pleural fluids free of bacteria and acid-fast bacilli, are almost diagnostic of rheumatoid disease.2 In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, usually males, pleural effusions with low glucose values may occur early in the disease or as a late manifestation associated with rheumatoid nodules of the pleura or lung parenchyma. The mechanism . . .