Interstitial Lung Disease and Other Pulmonary Manifestations in Connective Tissue Diseases

Lung involvement in connective tissue diseases is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, most commonly in the form of interstitial lung disease, and can occur in any of these disorders. Patterns of interstitial lung disease in patients with connective tissue disease are similar to those seen in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It may be difficult to distinguish between the 2 ailments, particularly when interstitial lung disease presents before extrapulmonary manifestations of the underlying connective tissue disease.

Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings - December 14, 2018 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Isabel Mira-Avendano, Andy Abril, Charles D. Burger, Paul F. Dellaripa, Aryeh Fischer, Michael B. Gotway, Augustine S. Lee, Joyce S. Lee, Eric L. Matteson, Eunhee S. Yi, Jay H. Ryu Tags: Review Source Type: research