Over 50% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) develop interstitial lung disease (ILD), and rheumatologists have long recognized this major cause of morbidity and mortality.1 Sindhu R. Johnson, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada, and director of the Toronto Scleroderma Program, notes that more recent studies have increased our awareness…
At this ACR Convergence 2024 session, Sonye Danoff, MD, PhD, discussed many factors that need to be considered before referring patients with SARD-ILD for lung transplantation.
Brooks et al. evaluated the risk of lung cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and RA-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) compared with the risk in matched controls without RA or RA-ILD. Understanding whether RA predisposes someone to lung cancer and whether patients with RA-ILD represent a uniquely high-risk group could inform cancer-screening strategies.
Washington D.C.—At a Sunday, Nov. 17, Pediatrics Great Debate session of ACR Convergence, speakers argued whether patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) should continue their interleukin (IL) 1/IL-6 biologics if lung disease is suspected. Randy Q. Cron, MD, PhD, the director of the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham,…
The session highlighted the importance of correctly identifying and treating patients with RA-ILD early in their disease course.
Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is a rare cause of dyspnea that has been most commonly described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but is also found in systemic sclerosis, Sjögren’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Shrinking lung syndrome is characterized by a restrictive pattern on lung spirometry, despite normal lung parenchyma, and an elevated diaphragm.1…
Due to its array of radiographic patterns, interstitial lung disease can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Adam Guttentag, MD, a cardiothoracic radiologist, shared tips for ordering and interpreting chest computed tomography.
No one-size-fits-all approach exists for the care and treatment of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and SSc with pulmonary involvement. Here, experts discuss some best clinical practices for these patients.
ACR Convergence 2021—The past year has been an exciting time for researchers and clinicians focused on the topic of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD), with advances in our understanding of these disorders and newly approved medications for their treatment. At the ACR Convergence 2021 annual Review Course, Kristin Highland, MD, MSCR, director of…
Treatment with tocilizimab preserved lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) regardless of a patient’s level of lung involvement, according to a recent study.