Rheumatology Quicklinks
When managing patients with autoimmune disease, it’s important to remember that their lungs may be at risk.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common, often early, and potentially fatal manifestation in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and Sjögren’s syndrome.1,2 While ILDs have varying etiologies, they all share the threat of pulmonary fibrosis, which can become progressive and lead to worse patient outcomes.3-6 This is why it’s crucial to see the connection between underlying autoimmune disease and pulmonary fibrosis.
A collaborative care approach with a pulmonologist is key to early diagnosis.
REFERENCES
- Fischer A, Distler J. Clin Rheumatol. 2019;38(10):2673-2681.
- Cottin V et al. Eur Respir Rev. 2018;27(150):180076.
- Wijsenbeek M, Cottin V. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(10):958-968.
- Ryu JH et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(8):976-986.
- Wollin L et al. Eur Respir J. 2019;54(3):1900161.
- Wells AU et al. Eur Respir J. 2018;51(5):1800692.
- Walsh SLF et al. Lancet Respir Med. 2016;4(7):557-565.
- Grewal JS et al. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2019;16(4):455-462.
