Why Rheumatologist–Pulmonologist Collaboration Is Essential

Dr. Kaplan would like pulmonologists to keep systemic conditions in mind as they evaluate patients. “When they see problems such as interstitial lung disease or other inflammatory conditions of the lung, they may be part of the larger picture of an underlying connective tissue disease. They may want to send the patient to a rheumatologist for an evaluation,” he says.

Conversely, agents prescribed typically by rheumatologists can assist with blocking lung disease at times, Dr. Efthimiou says. “Often, systemic immunotherapy, expertly administered by experienced rheumatologists, may halt or reverse the lung pathologic process and lead to better outcomes in affected patients,” he says.

Vanessa Caceres is a medical writer in Bradenton, Fla.