Title:Interstitial Lung Disease Associated with Collagen Vascular Disease
Volume: 1
Issue: 2
Author(s): Marco Antonio Solis Aramayo and Antonio Lopez Lopez
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Interstitial lung disease, collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis.
Abstract: Collagen vascular diseases (CVDs), also known as connective tissue disorders
(CTDs), include a diverse group of immunologically mediated inflammatory disorders. Systemic
inflammatory response may affect many organs. Lung disease—especially interstitial
lung disease (ILD)—is frequent in the course of rheumatological diseases and causes mortality
and morbidity rates to increase. Since the overall incidence of ILD has been estimated
at 15%, physicians are urged to make an early diagnosis and decide the best treatment for
ILD in CVDs. There are several tests to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, such as
high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function test, broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL), and
surgical lung biopsy. A multi-disciplinary team made up of specialists with extensive expertise in this area
must determine when to use each. This document is a review of the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of ILD
in CVDs.
