NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) and surgical lung biopsy (SLB) had a high level of agreement for diagnosing interstitial lung disease in the first comparative study. “These data suggest that TBLC, when done by an experienced proceduralist, is a valid first-line minimally invasive diagnostic tool for patients with interstitial lung disease deemed to…
Cyclophosphamide for Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
A recent systematic review found no clear evidence that rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with cyclophosphamide have better lung function than those treated with mycophenolate mofetil. The researchers caution that physicians should expect treatment with cyclophosphamide may only result in a modest improvement in the preservation of forced vital capacity…
Heparin Fails to Prevent Leg, Lung Clots After Arthroscopy, Casting
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Low-molecular-weight heparin failed to prevent symptomatic venous thromboemboli in people receiving knee arthroscopy or a lower leg cast, according to a pair of studies conducted in the Netherlands. The treatment is controversial because there is little clear evidence that heparin wards off clots in such instances. The research team, led by Dr. Raymond…
Lung Complications Closely Entwined with Rheumatologic Diseases
SAN FRANCISCO—Lung involvement is a frequent and often life-threatening manifestation of the connective tissue diseases (CTDs) that are commonly encountered by rheumatologists. A variety of rheumatic diseases can affect the lungs, including systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, lupus, polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) and Sjögren’s syndrome. A panel presentation on lung disease associated with rheumatic diseases at the…
Immunotherapy Largely Untested in Patients with Autoimmune Disease
(Reuters Health)—The safety and effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy is largely unknown in patients with autoimmune diseases, researchers say—and that might account for up to a quarter of individuals with lung cancer. Patients with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis or psoriasis, have been mostly excluded from clinical trials testing immunotherapies over fears that…
From the Expert: New Advances in Treatment of Systemic Scleroderma
A recent study found that mycophenolate mofetil is an effective alternative for the treatment of systemic scleroderma with interstitial lung disease, resulting in possible long-term improvement. According to Aryeh Fischer, MD, this new research points to the future expansion of treatment options…
Textile Workers at Higher Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis
(Reuters Health)—Breathing textile dust on the job is linked to an almost tripled risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a Malaysian study suggests. While smoking is a known risk factor for RA, the findings add to evidence suggesting that environmental factors could trigger RA in some people, the researchers note in their report in Annals…
Listen to the Lungs: An Interview with Dr. Aryeh Fischer on ILD
In a recent interview, Aryeh Fischer, MD, addresses the importance of checking patients with autoimmune diseases for interstitial lung disease, noting that advances in technology and awareness can lead to early detection and affect patient outcomes…
ACPA-Positive & ACPA-Negative Patients with RA: The Difference Begins in the Lungs
A new study from Stockholm, Sweden, strengthens the link between the lungs and anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)–positive RA. After analyzing the bronchial tissue of untreated patients with early RA, researchers found the patients’ lungs had signs of immune cell accumulation and activation…
Idiopathic Lung Fibrosis—Check for ANCA
New research recommends that doctors test the sera of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), as well as closely monitor this population for signs of lung vasculitis…