2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Guideline for the Screening and Monitoring of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: We provide evidence-based recommendations regarding screening for interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the monitoring for ILD progression in people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), specifically rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, mixed connective tissue disease, and Sjögren disease. METHODS: We developed clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes questions related to screening and monitoring for ILD in patients with SARDs. A systematic literature review was performed, and the available evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. A Voting Panel of interdisciplinary clinician experts and patients achieved consensus on the direction and strength of each recommendation. RESULTS: Fifteen recommendations were developed. For screening people with these SARDs at risk for ILD, we conditionally recommend pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography of the chest (HRCT chest); conditionally recommend against screening with 6-minute walk test distance (6MWD), chest radiography, ambulatory desaturation testing, or bronchoscopy; and strongly recommend against screening with surgical lung biopsy. We conditionally recommend monitoring ILD with PFTs, HRCT chest, and ambulatory desaturation testing and conditionally recommend against monitoring with 6MWD, chest radiography, or bronchoscopy. We provide guidance on ILD risk factors and suggestions on frequency of testing to evaluate for the development of ILD in people with SARDs. CONCLUSION: This clinical practice guideline presents the first recommendations endorsed by the American College of Rheumatology and American College of Chest Physicians for the screening and monitoring of ILD in people with SARDs.

2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Guideline for the Screening and Monitoring of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: We provide evidence-based recommendations regarding screening for interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the monitoring for ILD progression in people with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), specifically rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, mixed connective tissue disease, and Sjögren disease. METHODS: We developed clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes questions related to screening and monitoring for ILD in patients with SARDs. A systematic literature review was performed, and the available evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. A Voting Panel of interdisciplinary clinician experts and patients achieved consensus on the direction and strength of each recommendation. RESULTS: Fifteen recommendations were developed. For screening people with these SARDs at risk for ILD, we conditionally recommend pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography of the chest (HRCT chest); conditionally recommend against screening with 6-minute walk test distance (6MWD), chest radiography, ambulatory desaturation testing, or bronchoscopy; and strongly recommend against screening with surgical lung biopsy. We conditionally recommend monitoring ILD with PFTs, HRCT chest, and ambulatory desaturation testing and conditionally recommend against monitoring with 6MWD, chest radiography, or bronchoscopy. We provide guidance on ILD risk factors and suggestions on frequency of testing to evaluate for the development of ILD in people with SARDs. CONCLUSION: This clinical practice guideline presents the first recommendations endorsed by the American College of Rheumatology and American College of Chest Physicians for the screening and monitoring of ILD in people with SARDs.

2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Guideline for the Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: We provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in adults with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). METHODS: We developed clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes questions. A systematic literature review was then performed, and the available evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. A panel of clinicians and patients reached consensus on the direction and strength of the recommendations. RESULTS: Thirty-five recommendations were generated (including two strong recommendations) for first-line SARD-ILD treatment, treatment of SARD-ILD progression despite first-line ILD therapy, and treatment of rapidly progressive ILD. The strong recommendations were against using glucocorticoids in systemic sclerosis-ILD as a first-line ILD therapy and after ILD progression. Otherwise, glucocorticoids are conditionally recommended for first-line ILD treatment in all other SARDs. CONCLUSION: This clinical practice guideline presents the first recommendations endorsed by the American College of Rheumatology and American College of Chest Physicians for the treatment of ILD in people with SARDs.

2023 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Guideline for the Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease in People with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: We provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the treatment of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in adults with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). METHODS: We developed clinically relevant population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes questions. A systematic literature review was then performed, and the available evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. A panel of clinicians and patients reached consensus on the direction and strength of the recommendations. RESULTS: Thirty-five recommendations were generated (including two strong recommendations) for first-line SARD-ILD treatment, treatment of SARD-ILD progression despite first-line ILD therapy, and treatment of rapidly progressive ILD. The strong recommendations were against using glucocorticoids in systemic sclerosis-ILD as a first-line ILD therapy and after ILD progression. Otherwise, glucocorticoids are conditionally recommended for first-line ILD treatment in all other SARDs. CONCLUSION: This clinical practice guideline presents the first recommendations endorsed by the American College of Rheumatology and American College of Chest Physicians for the treatment of ILD in people with SARDs.

Long-term evaluation of the safety and efficacy of recombinant human pentraxin-2 (rhPTX-2) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF): an open-label extension study.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human pentraxin-2 (rhPTX-2) significantly decreased decline in percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and stabilized 6-min walk distance (6MWD) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) during the 28-week, placebo-controlled, randomized period of the Phase II PRM-151-202 study. Interim (76-week) data from the open-label extension (OLE) demonstrated sustained safety and efficacy with rhPTX-2 treatment. Here, we present the entire long-term OLE safety and efficacy data to 128 weeks. METHODS: Patients who completed the randomized PRM-151-202 study period were eligible for the OLE, during which all patients received rhPTX-2, having started rhPTX-2 (i.e., crossed from placebo) or continued rhPTX-2 after Week 28. rhPTX-2 was administered in 28-week cycles, with 10 mg/kg intravenous infusions (60 min) on Days 1, 3, and 5 in the first week of each cycle, then one infusion every 4 weeks up to Week 128. The OLE primary objective was to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of rhPTX-2. Other outcomes included FVC, 6MWD, and patient-reported outcomes (descriptive analysis). RESULTS: All 111 patients who completed the randomized period entered the OLE (n = 37 started rhPTX-2; n = 74 continued rhPTX-2); 57 (51.4%) completed to Week 128. The treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) profile was consistent with the randomized period, with the majority of TEAEs graded mild or moderate. Serious TEAEs occurred in 47 patients (42.3%), most frequently IPF (n = 11; 9.9%), pneumonia (n = 7; 6.3%), and acute respiratory failure (n = 3; 2.7%). Three patients underwent lung transplantation. Most serious TEAEs (and all 14 fatal events) were considered unrelated to rhPTX-2 treatment. For patients starting vs continuing rhPTX-2, mean (95% confidence interval) changes from baseline to Week 128 were, respectively, - 6.2% (- 7.7; - 4.6) and - 5.7% (- 8.0; - 3.3) for percent predicted FVC and - 36.3 m (- 65.8; - 6.9) and - 28.9 m (- 54.3; - 3.6) for 6MWD; however, conclusions were limited by patient numbers at Week 128. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment (up to 128 weeks) with rhPTX-2 was well tolerated in patients with IPF, with no new safety signals emerging in the OLE. The limited efficacy data over 128 weeks may suggest a trend towards a treatment effect. Trial registration NCT02550873; EudraCT 2014-004782-24.

An 84-Year-Old Physician With Progressive Dyspnea and Bilateral Upper Lobe Opacities.

CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old physician was seen in the pulmonary clinic with 10 days of progressive exertional dyspnea, night sweats, and dry cough. For the past 5 months, he had been taking ibuprofen for lumbar radiculopathy from spinal stenosis. Ten days earlier, ibuprofen was switched to naproxen 250 mg twice daily because of its longer half-life. He denied fever, weight loss, rash, dysphagia, proximal muscle weakness, wheeze, sinus congestion, and peripheral numbness/tingling. Medical history included paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, hypertension, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and OSA. Long-term medications included aspirin, flecainide, atorvastatin, amlodipine, levothyroxine, and candesartan. He was a lifelong nonsmoker. There was no history of recent travel.

A Clinic Blueprint for Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 RECOVERY: Learning From the Past, Looking to the Future.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic poses extraordinary challenges. The tremendous number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the United States has resulted in a large population of survivors with prolonged postinfection symptoms. The creation of multidisciplinary post-COVID-19 clinics to address both persistent symptoms and potential long-term complications requires an understanding of the acute disease and the emerging data regarding COVID-19 outcomes. Experience with severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome, post-acute respiratory distress syndrome complications, and post-intensive care syndrome also informs anticipated sequelae and clinical program design. Post-COVID-19 clinical programs should be prepared to care for individuals previously hospitalized with COVID-19 (including those who required critical care support), nonhospitalized individuals with persistent respiratory symptoms following COVID-19, and individuals with preexisting lung disease complicated by COVID-19. Effective multidisciplinary collaboration models leverage lessons learned during the early phases of the pandemic to overcome the unique logistical challenges posed by pandemic circumstances. Collaboration between physicians and researchers across disciplines will provide insight into survivorship that may shape the treatment of both acute disease and chronic complications. In this review, we discuss the aims, general principles, elements of design, and challenges of a successful multidisciplinary model to address the needs of COVID-19 survivors.

Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Evaluation and Management.

Interstitial lung disease is common among patients with connective tissue disease and is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality. Infection and drug toxicity must always be excluded as the cause of radiographic findings. Immunosuppression remains a mainstay of therapy despite few controlled trials supporting its use. When a decision regarding therapy initiation is made, considerations include an assessment of disease severity as well as a determination of the rate of progression. Because patients may have extrathoracic disease activity, a multidisciplinary approach is crucial and should include supportive and nonpharmacologic management strategies.

Long-term treatment with recombinant human pentraxin 2 protein in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: an open-label extension study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) treated with PRM-151, a recombinant human pentraxin 2 protein, in a phase 2 double-blind, randomised controlled trial had significantly reduced decline in percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) and stabilised 6-min walking distance compared with placebo over a 28-week period. Here we report the 76-week results of an open-label extension study. METHODS: Patients who completed the 28-week double-blind period of the PRM-151-202 trial were eligible to participate in the open-label extension study. Patients previously enrolled in the PRM-151 group continued this treatment and those previously in the placebo group crossed over to PRM-151. All patients received PRM-151 in 28-week cycles with loading doses of 10 mg/kg by 60 min intravenous infusions on days 1, 3, and 5 in the first week of each cycle followed by one infusion of 10 mg/kg every 4 weeks. The primary objective of the open-label extension study was to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of PRM-151, which were assessed by analysing adverse events (AEs) up to week 76 in all patients who received at least one dose of PRM-151 during the open-label extension study. Exploratory efficacy analyses were done by assessing changes from baseline in percentage of predicted FVC and 6-min walking distance, with descriptive statistics to week 76 and with random-intercept mixed models to week 52. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02550873, and with EudraCT, number 2014-004782-24. FINDINGS: Of 116 patients who completed the double-blind treatment period, 111 entered the open-label extension study (74 from the PRM-151 group and 37 from the placebo group). 84 (76%) of 111 patients received concomitant IPF therapy (pirfenidone n=55 or nintedanib n=29). AEs were consistent with long-term IPF sequelae. 31 (28%) patients had serious AEs. Those occurring in two or more patients were pneumonia (six [5%] of 111), IPF exacerbation (four [4%]), IPF progression (four [4%]), and chest pain (two [2%]). 21 (19%) patients had severe AEs, of which IPF exacerbation and IPF progression each occurred in two (2%) patients. Two (2%) patients experienced life-threatening AEs (one had pneumonia and one had small-cell lung cancer extensive stage). A persistent treatment effect was observed for PRM-151 in patients who continued treatment, with a decline in percentage of predicted FVC of -3·6% per year and in 6-min walking distance of -10·5 m per year at week 52. In patients who started PRM-151 during the open-label extension study, compared with the slopes for placebo, decline reduced for percentage of predicted FVC (from -8·7% per year in weeks 0-28 to -0·9% per year in weeks 28-52, p<0·0001) and 6-min walking distance (from -54·9 m per year to -3·5 m per year, p=0·0224). INTERPRETATION: Long-term treatment with PRM-151 was well tolerated and the effects on percentage of predicted FVC and 6-min walking distance were persistent on continuation and positive in patients who crossed over from placebo. These findings support further study of PRM-151 in larger populations of patients with IPF. FUNDING: Promedior.

Serious adverse events in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the placebo arms of 6 clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal interstitial lung disease characterized by irreversible loss of lung function and an unpredictable course of disease progression. METHODS: The safety data for patients with IPF who received placebo in 6 clinical trials were pooled to examine the categories and frequencies of serious adverse events (SAEs) in this population. RESULTS: In 1082 patients with IPF who received placebo, 673 SAEs were reported. Of these, 93 SAEs resulted in death (8.6% of patients). Respiratory-related conditions were the most frequently reported SAE (225 events, 16.33 per 100 patient-exposure years [PEY]), followed by infections and infestations (136 events, 9.87 per 100 PEY) and cardiac disorders (79 events, 5.73 per 100 PEY); these categories also had the most fatal outcomes (60, 10, and 10 deaths, respectively). The most frequently reported fatal respiratory-related SAEs were IPF and respiratory failure (38 and 11 patients, respectively), and the most frequently reported fatal infections and infestations and cardiac disorders were pneumonia (5 patients) and myocardial infarction (3 patients), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This pooled analysis has value as a comparator for safety in future studies of IPF and provides insights in the natural evolution of both IPF and common comorbidities.

Effect of Recombinant Human Pentraxin 2 vs Placebo on Change in Forced Vital Capacity in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease with poor prognosis. Approved therapies do not halt disease progression. Objective: To determine the effect of recombinant human pentraxin 2 vs placebo on change from baseline to week 28 in mean forced vital capacity (FVC) percentage of predicted value. Design, Setting, and Participants: Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 18 sites in 7 countries of eligible patients with IPF (N = 117; aged 40-80 years; FVC ≥50% and ≤90% predicted; ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second/FVC >0.70; diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [Dlco] ≥25% and ≤90% predicted; and distance of ≥150 m on the 6-minute walk test). Study period was August 2015-May 2017. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either recombinant human pentraxin 2 (10 mg/kg intravenous every 4 weeks, n = 77) or placebo (n = 39) for 24 weeks, and stratified by concurrent IPF treatment status. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was the least-squares mean change in FVC percentage of predicted value from baseline to week 28 (minimal clinically important difference, decline of 2%-6%). Secondary end points included mean change in lung volumes (total, normal, and interstitial lung abnormalities) on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and 6-minute walk distance (minimal clinically important difference, 24-45 m). Results: Of 117 randomized patients, 116 received at least 1 dose of study drug (mean age, 68.6 years; 81.0% men; mean time since IPF diagnosis, 3.8 years), and 111 (95.7%) completed the study. The least-squares mean change in FVC percentage of predicted value from baseline to week 28 in patients treated with recombinant human pentraxin 2 was -2.5 vs -4.8 for those in the placebo group (difference, +2.3 [90% CI, 1.1 to 3.5]; P = .001). No significant treatment differences were observed in total lung volume (difference, 93.5 mL [90% CI, -27.7 to 214.7]), quantitative parenchymal features on HRCT (normal lung volume difference, -1.2% [90% CI, -4.4 to 1.9]; interstitial lung abnormalities difference, 1.1% [90% CI, -2.2 to 4.3]), or measurement of Dlco (difference, -0.4 [90% CI, -2.6 to 1.7]). The change in 6-minute walk distance was -0.5 m for patients treated with recombinant human pentraxin 2 vs -31.8 m for those in the placebo group (difference, +31.3 m [90% CI, 17.4 to 45.1]; P < .001). The most common adverse events in the recombinant human pentraxin 2 vs placebo group were cough (18% vs 5%), fatigue (17% vs 10%), and nasopharyngitis (16% vs 23%). Conclusions and Relevance: In this preliminary study, recombinant human pentraxin 2 vs placebo resulted in a slower decline in lung function over 28 weeks for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Further research should more fully assess efficacy and safety. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02550873.

An Open-Label, Phase II Study of the Safety of Pirfenidone in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (PIPF-002).

INTRODUCTION: PIPF-002 was a phase 2, multicenter, open-label study of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or other types of pulmonary fibrosis (PF). PIPF-002 terminated after pirfenidone became commercially available in the United States. The goal of PIPF-002 was to characterize the long-term safety of pirfenidone in these patients. METHODS: Between August 2003 and September 2006, 83 patients (IPF: 81, PF: 2) enrolled. Patients received pirfenidone in three divided doses daily, with the maintenance dose and schedule determined by enrollment group assignment. Treatment continued until patient withdrawal or study termination (2015). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed by descriptive statistics. RESULTS: At baseline, median age was 70 years, mean percent predicted forced vital capacity was 67.7%, 33.7% of patients had cardiac disorders, 51.8% had gastroesophageal reflux disease, and 63.9% were receiving concomitant prednisone. Median pirfenidone dose and exposure duration were 2400 mg/day and 3.0 years, respectively. Cumulative total exposure was 279.7 patient-exposure years (PEY). Most patients (98.8%) reported ≥ 1 TEAE, with an overall incidence rate of 460.5 per 100 PEY. The most frequent TEAEs (incidence rate per 100 PEY) were nausea (23.6), IPF progression (16.1), fatigue (11.8), dyspnea (11.4), upper respiratory tract infection (11.4), and cough (10.7). Serious TEAEs were reported in 49 patients; the most frequent serious TEAEs were IPF progression and pneumonia. The most common reason for discontinuation was TEAEs (35 patients; 12.5 patients per 100 PEY), most frequently IPF progression and nausea. Overall, 21 patients died (7.5 per 100 PEY); 16 deaths were IPF-related. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term safety and tolerability of pirfenidone findings in this study were consistent with the known safety profile of pirfenidone; no new safety signals were identified. These data support the continued use of pirfenidone in patients with IPF. FUNDING: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd./Genentech, Inc. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT00080223. Plain language summary available for this article.

Extracellular Mitochondrial DNA Is Generated by Fibroblasts and Predicts Death in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

RATIONALE: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) involves the accumulation of α-smooth muscle actin-expressing myofibroblasts arising from interactions with soluble mediators such as transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and mechanical influences such as local tissue stiffness. Whereas IPF fibroblasts are enriched for aerobic glycolysis and innate immune receptor activation, innate immune ligands related to mitochondrial injury, such as extracellular mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), have not been identified in IPF. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to define an association between mtDNA and fibroblast responses in IPF. METHODS: We evaluated the response of normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLFs) to stimulation with mtDNA and determined whether the glycolytic reprogramming that occurs in response to TGF-ß1 stimulation and direct contact with stiff substrates, and spontaneously in IPF fibroblasts, is associated with excessive levels of mtDNA. We measured mtDNA concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from subjects with and without IPF, as well as in plasma samples from two longitudinal IPF cohorts and demographically matched control subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Exposure to mtDNA augments α-smooth muscle actin expression in NHLFs. The metabolic changes in NHLFs that are induced by interactions with TGF-ß1 or stiff hydrogels are accompanied by the accumulation of extracellular mtDNA. These findings replicate the spontaneous phenotype of IPF fibroblasts. mtDNA concentrations are increased in IPF BAL and plasma, and in the latter compartment, they display robust associations with disease progression and reduced event-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate a previously unrecognized and highly novel connection between metabolic reprogramming, mtDNA, fibroblast activation, and clinical outcomes that provides new insight into IPF.

Validation of the prognostic value of MMP-7 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with poor prognosis and variable clinical course. Although matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is emerging as an important IPF biomarker, reproducibility across studies is unclear. We aimed to determine whether a previously reported prognostic threshold for MMP-7 was predictive of mortality in an independent cohort of IPF patients. METHODS: MMP-7 concentrations obtained from heparinized plasma samples were determined by ELISA in 97 patients with IPF and 41 healthy controls. The association of the previously published heparin plasma MMP-7 threshold of 12.1 ng/mL with all-cause mortality or transplant-free survival (TFS) was determined, either as an independent biomarker or as part of the modified personal clinical and molecular mortality index (m-PCMI). RESULTS: MMP-7 plasma concentrations were significantly higher in IPF patients compared to healthy controls (14.40 ± 6.55 ng/mL vs 6.03 ± 2.51 ng/mL, P < 0.001). The plasma MMP-7 threshold of 12.1 ng/mL was significantly associated with both all-cause mortality and TFS (unadjusted Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) = 25.85 and 15.49, 95% CI: 10.91-61.23 and 5.41-44.34, respectively, P < 0.001). MMP-7 concentrations, split by 12.1 ng/mL, were significantly (P < 0.05) predictive of mortality and TFS after adjusting for age, gender, smoking and baseline pulmonary function parameters, in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. MMP-7 concentrations were negatively correlated with diffusing lung capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO ) (r = -0.21, P = 0.02), and positively with a mortality risk scoring system (GAP) that combines age, gender, forced vital capacity (FVC) and DLCO (r = 0.32, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that MMP-7 concentrations could be used to accurately predict outcomes across cohorts and centres, when similar collection protocols are applied.

Supportive care for patients with pulmonary complications of connective tissue disease.

Patients with connective tissue disease often suffer from pulmonary complications, including interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension. Supportive care for these patients aims to relieve symptoms and improve activity level and quality of life. A holistic approach to the management of patients with advanced connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary disorders includes a full assessment of patient symptoms as well as a careful search for side effects of treatment and treatable comorbidities. This article addresses supportive measures such as supplemental oxygen and pulmonary rehabilitation. Issues related to quality of life, sleep disturbances, and identification of mood disorders are discussed. In addition, we review significant comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Essential facets of advanced lung disease, including mechanical ventilation, lung transplantation, end-of-life care, and hospice, are covered.

Interstitial lung disease in the connective tissue diseases.

The connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are inflammatory, immune-mediated disorders in which interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common and clinically important. Interstitial lung disease may be the first manifestation of a CTD in a previously healthy patient. CTD-associated ILD frequently presents with the gradual onset of cough and dyspnea, although rarely may present with fulminant respiratory failure. Infection and drug reaction should always be ruled out. A diagnosis of idiopathic ILD should never be made without a careful search for subtle evidence of underlying CTD. Treatment of CTD-ILD typically includes corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents.