Effect of N-Acetylcysteine Combined with Lung Rehabilitation Therapy on Exercise Endurance and Quality of Life of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease

Objective: To explore the effect of N-acetylcysteine combined with lung rehabilitation therapy on exercise endurance and quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Methods: Fifty-six patients with RA-ILD admitted to Xijing Hospital from May 2022 to January 2024 were randomly divided into two groups: a non-rehabilitation group and a pulmonary rehabilitation group, with 28 patients in each group. Both groups received routine treatment. Additionally, the non-rehabilitation group received N-acetylcysteine treatment, while the lung rehabilitation group received lung rehabilitation treatment in addition to N-acetylcysteine. The improvement in exercise endurance and dyspnea between the two groups after treatment was compared and the quality of life of the patients was observed. Results: After treatment, the exercise endurance score in the lung rehabilitation group (335.67 ± 45.29) was higher than that in the non-rehabilitation group (P < 0.05). The dyspnea score in the lung rehabilitation group (0.72 ± 0.16) was lower than that in the non-rehabilitation group (P < 0.05). Additionally, FVC (3.18 ± 0.58 L), FEV1 (2.28 ± 0.56 L), FEV1/FVC (69.69 ± 5.56), and DLCO (60.53 ± 5.92 mL/mmHg/min) were higher in the lung rehabilitation group compared to the non-rehabilitation group after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Lung rehabilitation therapy combined with N-acetylcysteine treatment can effectively improve dyspnea symptoms, lung function, and exercise endurance in patients with RA-ILD. This approach helps to improve patient’s quality of life and is beneficial for their prognosis.