Pulmonary manifestations of systemic autoimmune diseases

Abstract

Systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD) are a heterogeneous group of immunologically mediated inflammatory disorders including multiorgan involvement. As expected in a multisystem disease, the entire pulmonary system is vulnerable to injury. Any of its compartments may be independently or simultaneously affected. It is difficult to assess the true prevalence of lung disease in cases of SAD. In this article, we will review the pulmonary manifestations caused by systemic lupus erithematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, Sjögren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, Wegener's granulomatosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, Goodpasture's syndrome, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Keywords: pulmonary manifestations; systemic autoimmune diseases.

Figure 1. Mechanisms perpetuating pulmonary fibrosis (Castelino & Varga, 2010) (1)