Chapter 13 Interstitial Lung Disease in the Connective Tissue Diseases

Publication date: 2018
Source:Interstitial Lung Disease
Author(s): Danielle Antin-Ozerkis, Ami Rubinowitz, Janine Evans, Robert J. Homer, Richard A. Matthay
The connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are inflammatory, immune-mediated disorders in which interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common and clinically important. ILD may be the first manifestation of a CTD in a previously healthy patient. CTD-associated ILD frequently presents with the gradual onset of cough and dyspnea, although rarely may present with fulminant respiratory failure. Infection and drug reaction should always be ruled out. A diagnosis of idiopathic ILD should never be made without a careful search for subtle evidence of underlying CTD. Treatment of CTD-ILD typically includes corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. The authors discuss the diagnostic approach to CTD-ILD and provide a focused discussion of treatment for several common forms of CTD-ILD.



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