Evaluation and management approaches for scleroderma lung disease

Abstract

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). As symptoms are often under-reported in SSc, early screening of ILD and PAH is of paramount importance, and early treatment may be associated with better clinical outcomes. Serologies are particularly helpful in identifying patients at risk for pulmonary involvement. Pulmonary function testing, high-resolution computed tomography of the chest and echocardiography are important tools in the initial screening of these patients. Extensive research has also led to an improved understanding of the mediators involved in the pathogenesis of ILD and PAH. As a result, there have been significant advances in the development of novel targeted therapeutics and an increase in the number of early-phase clinical trials in SSc.

Keywords: interstitial lung disease; pulmonary hypertension; scleroderma.

Figure 1.

Characteristic radiographic findings on high-resolution computed tomography. (A) Subpleural ground glass opacities (white arrows) and traction bronchiectasis seen in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, and (B) honeycombing (black arrow), and bronchiectasis seen in usual interstitial pneumonia.