[Interdisciplinary point of contact between rheumatology and pneumology]

Abstract

The lungs are involved in many inflammatory rheumatic diseases. We will focus on the most common clinical problems. In systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease resulting in fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) resulting in right heart failure are the leading complications requiring close cooperation between specialists in rheumatology and pulmonology. In Sjogren's syndrome interstitial pneumonia, pleural and bronchial inflammation and rarely PAH will be the main pulmonary complications. Hypereosinophilic syndrome, eosinophilic pneumonia, and Churg-Strauss syndrome are conditions that show marked eosinophilia and can clinically be confused with asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. These conditions mandate thorough investigation of the lungs including bronchoscopy and possibly open lung biopsy. Finally, patients for whom treatment with tumour necrosis factor blocking agents is planned should undergo interdisciplinary management to prevent tuberculosis activation or infection.