Manifestations of scleroderma pulmonary disease

[Interstitial lung disease associated with connective tissue disease]

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most frequent organ manifestation in rheumatic autoimmune disease. Depending on the underlying autoimmune disease, differently pronounced affections of small airways, interstitial parenchyma, and vessels are found. The group of rheumatic autoimmune diseases mainly includes connective tissue diseases (CTDs), also known as collagen vascular diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis, (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren's syndrome, idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM), and interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF). Frequency and manifestations of parenchymal lung disorders are described clinically, radiologically, and morphologically in these entities. For the precise diagnosis and for the differentiation between the wide range of parenchymal disorders with known possible cause or with unknown origin, also called unclassifiable or idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs), high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings represent the diagnostic gold standard. A transbronchial biopsy, surgical biopsy, or cryobiopsy will be used in unclassifiable findings to confirm a definitive histological confirmation. A precise diagnosis of these ILDs is crucial since the different pathologies that encompass ILD have different therapeutic options. In this sense, the participation of a pneumologist, rheumatologist, radiologist, and pathologist become essential in the multidisciplinary evolution of ILD.

Recent Treatments of Interstitial Lung Disease with Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disorder characterized by immune dysfunction, microvascular injury, and fibrosis. Organ involvement in patients with SSc is variable; however, pulmonary involvement occurs in up to 90% of patients with SSc. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a major cause of mortality and, thus, a major determinant in the prognosis of patients with SSc. This review summarizes current findings about the characteristics of ILD in patients with SSc, selection of patients with SSc-ILD who are candidates for the treatment, and current treatment options.

Systemic sclerosis and the risk of tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary involvement is common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and this condition causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Disrupted immunity from the disease or associated medication may render such patients subject to tuberculosis (TB) infection. However, the relationship between SSc and TB has not yet been investigated.

METHODS

Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 838 patients with SSc diagnosed in Taiwan during 2000-2006 were identified and followed for emergence of TB infection. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) of TB compared to 8380 randomly selected age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched controls without SSc were calculated. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate adjustment to identify independent risk factors for TB infection.

RESULTS

The risk of TB infection was higher in the SSc cohort than in controls (IRR 2.81, 95% CI 1.36-5.37; p = 0.004), particularly for pulmonary TB (IRR 2.53, 95% CI 1.08-5.30; p = 0.022). Other independent risk factors for TB infection in patients with SSc were age ≥ 60 years [hazard ratio (HR) 3.52, 95% CI 1.10-11.33; p = 0.035] and pulmonary hypertension (PH; HR 6.06, 95% CI 1.59-23.17; p = 0.008). Mortality did not differ for SSc patients with or without TB.

CONCLUSION

In this nationwide study, the incidence of TB infection was significantly higher among patients with SSc than in controls without SSc. Special care should be taken in managing patients with SSc who are at high risk for TB, especially those aged ≥ 60 years or who also have PH.

On the respiratory mechanics measured by forced oscillation technique in patients with systemic sclerosis

Background

Pulmonary complications are the most common cause of death and morbidity in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The forced oscillation technique (FOT) offers a simple and detailed approach to investigate the mechanical properties of the respiratory system. We hypothesized that SSc may introduce changes in the resistive and reactive properties of the respiratory system, and that FOT may help the diagnosis of these abnormalities.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We tested these hypotheses in controls (n = 30) and patients with abnormalities classified using spirometry (n = 52) and pulmonary volumes (n = 29). Resistive data were interpreted with the zero-intercept resistance (Ri) and the slope of the resistance (S) as a function of frequency. Reactance changes were evaluated by the mean reactance between 4 and 32 Hz (Xm) and the dynamic compliance (Crs,dyn). The mechanical load was evaluated using the absolute value of the impedance in 4 Hz (Z4Hz). A compartmental model was used to obtain central (R) and peripheral (Rp) resistances, and alveolar compliance (C). The clinical usefulness was evaluated by investigating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The presence of expiratory flow limitation (EFL) was also evaluated. For the groups classified using spirometry, SSc resulted in increased values in Ri, R, Rp and Z4Hz (p<0.003) and reductions in Crs,dyn, C and Xm (p<0.004). Z4Hz, C and Crs,dyn exhibited a high diagnostic accuracy (AUC>0.90). In groups classified by pulmonary volume, SSc resulted in reductions in S, Xm, C and Crs,dyn (p<0.01). Xm, C and Crs,dyn exhibited adequate diagnostic accuracy (AUC>0.80). It was also observed that EFL is not common in patients with SSc.

Conclusions/Significance

This study provides evidence that the respiratory resistance and reactance are changed in SSc. This analysis provides a useful description that is of particular significance for understanding respiratory pathophysiology and to ease the diagnosis of respiratory abnormalities in these patients.

Cyclophosphamide for scleroderma lung disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To assess the effectiveness of cyclophosphamide in the management of scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). In this systematic review study, the primary outcome measures were change in forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(L)CO) of the patients after 6 and 12 months. To assess the effect of cyclophosphamide on early stage of ILD, alveolitis, in SSc patients, we selected the studies that used the BAL findings or HRCT or recent deterioration of PFT with minimal chest X-ray finding in early stage of disease as diagnosis of alveolitis. A sensitive systematic search strategy was used to find all relevant studies. Finally, 17 trials were included in the analysis that was performed using STATA. (Version 8) and Review Manager (version 4.1; MetaView version 4.1) softwares. Results from 10 studies were pooled for the outcome variable of FVC after 12 months. The summary WMD (random effects) was 2.45 (95% CI, 0.760-4.149 P = 0.005), which means that cyclophosphamide was able to prevent deterioration of FVC after 12 months. In pooled data of 13 studies, about DLCO after 12 months WMD (random effects) was 2.003 2.96 (95% CI, -0.228 to 6.159 P = 0.069), which means that cyclophosphamide was not able to prevent deterioration of D(L)CO after 12 months. If we considered clinically sensible improvement as absolute value ≥10% in DLCO and VC, then result of treatment with cyclophosphamide treatment in scleroderma patients with ILD was not significant.

Pneumonia intersticial associada à esclerose sistêmica: avaliação da função pulmonar no período de cinco anos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as alterações da função pulmonar em portadores de pneumonia intersticial associada à esclerose sistêmica no intervalo de cinco anos. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal no qual foram avaliados 35 pacientes não tabagistas com esclerose sistêmica e sem história de doença pulmonar prévia. Na primeira avaliação, realizada na época do diagnóstico da pneumonia intersticial, os pacientes foram submetidos à TCAR, espirometria e medida de DLCO. Os pacientes foram subdivididos em dois grupos de acordo com a presença ou não de faveolamento na TCAR. Aproximadamente cinco anos após a primeira avaliação, os pacientes foram submetidos a espirometria e medida da DLCO apenas. RESULTADOS: Dos 35 pacientes, 34 eram mulheres, com média de idade de 47,6 anos. A média de tempo entre as duas avaliações foi de 60,9 meses. O faveolamento foi demonstrado por TCAR em 17 pacientes. Na amostra total, após cinco anos do diagnóstico, CVF, VEF1 e DLCO reduziram significativamente (81,3 ± 18,2% vs. 72,1 ± 22,2%; 79,9 ± 17,8% vs. 72,5 ± 20,6%; e 74,0 ± 20,5% vs. 60,7 ± 26,8%, respectivamente; p = 0.0001 para todos), enquanto a relação VEF1/CVF aumentou significativamente (98,5 ± 7,2% vs. 101,9 ± 7,8%; p = 0,008). No mesmo período, os valores de CVF, VEF1 e DLCO foram significativamente menores nos pacientes com faveolamento do que naqueles sem faveolamento na TCAR (p = 0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: Na esclerose sistêmica com doença pulmonar intersticial associada, a detecção de faveolamento na TCAR é determinante para predizer uma deterioração acelerada da função pulmonar.

Clinical value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in patients with connective tissue disease

Connective tissue diseases represent a heterogeneous group of immunologically mediated inflammatory disorders with a large variety of affected organs other than the lung. (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG PET) is widely used in oncology but may also be valuable in patients with infections or inflammatory disease. The purpose of this article was to assess the clinical value of (18)F-FDG PET in patients with connective tissue disease. Our experience demonstrates that (18)F-FDG PET is a unique imaging technique for assessing the metabolic activity throughout the body in those with a connective tissue disease. The technique appears to be a promising imaging modality for detecting coexistent neoplastic diseases and other autoimmune disorders.

Imaging lung disease in systemic sclerosis

Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension (PH) are the most common cardiopulmonary findings in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). About two thirds of patients suffering from SSc develop scleroderma interstitial lung disease. PH is present in about 20% of SSc patients and is typically associated with severe lung disease, although it may be an isolated manifestation of SSc. High-resolution CT scanning is a key method for evaluating chest involvement. There are four roles of imaging in scleroderma interstitial lung disease: 1) detection of lung involvement, 2) identification of patients likely to respond to treatment, 3) assessment of treatment efficacy, and 4) exclusion of other significant diseases to include PH and cardiac and esophageal abnormalities.

Systemic sclerosis and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: histomorphometric differences in lung biopsies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the parenchymal and extracellular matrix remodeling process in two histologic patterns-nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)-in cases of idiopathic and sclerosis/systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial pneumonia.

METHODS

We examined 15 cases of idiopathic NSIP, 10 cases of idiopathic UIP, 5 cases of SSc-UIP and 9 cases of SSc-NSIP. In the lung parenchyma, epithelial cells, endothelial cells and myofibroblasts were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining, whereas histochemical staining was used in order to evaluate collagen/elastic fibers in the extracellular matrix.

RESULTS

The percentage of surfactant protein A-positive epithelial cells was significantly greater in idiopathic NSIP than in SSc-NSIP, as well as being greater in idiopathic UIP than in SSc-UIP. Idiopathic NSIP and idiopathic UIP presented significantly higher immunoexpression of alpha smooth muscle actin in myofibroblasts than did SSc-NSIP and SSc-UIP. The percentage of CD34 endothelial cells in the pulmonary microvasculature was significant lower in idiopathic UIP than in SSc-UIP. The density of collagen fibers was significantly greater in idiopathic NSIP and idiopathic UIP than in SSc-NSIP and UIP. In contrast, the elastic fiber density was significantly lower in idiopathic UIP than in SSc-UIP.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased collagen synthesis, destruction of elastic fibers, high myofibroblast proliferation and poor microvascularization might represent a remodeling process found in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, whereas the reverse might represent a repair process in SSc-associated interstitial pneumonia.

[Histomorphology of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary vasculitis]

Rheumatic diseases or collagen vascular diseases represent a heterogeneous group of immunologically mediated inflammatory disorders. The respiratory system is often affected,the causes being manifold: infection, medication toxicity and specific manifestations of immunological processes due to the underlying disease. The lung can be involved in all its components. Due to their extremely broad differential diagnosis, pulmonary vasculitic syndromes still constitute a major challenge for the pathologist. Pulmonary involvement is frequent in primary systemic vasculitis (PSV) associated with anti-neutrophil-cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA); other PSV only rarely affect the lungs. Histomorphologically, small vessel vasculitis with neutrophil alveolitis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, as well as extravascular intraparenchymal or peribronchial granulomas, can point to PSV. A single biopsy is often insufficient to identify all diagnostic criteria. Therefore, the selection of suitable biopsy material and correlation with clinical, serological and radiological parameters is indispensable. Almost all forms of interstitial lung disease may be present in collagen vascular disease; however, several parallel morphological types, rather than one in isolation, are frequently found.

Pulmonary hypertension in polymyositis-dermatomyositis: clinical and hemodynamic characteristics and response to vasoactive therapy

The increased incidence of pulmonary hypertension and its association with decreased survival is well-recognised in patients with systemic sclerosis. This association is not widely appreciated in patients with polymyositis-dermatomyositis. We report clinical and hemodynamic characteristics and response to vasoactive therapy in three patients with polymyositis-dermatomyositis and pulmonary hypertension and discuss them in light of the available literature.

High-resolution CT scan findings in patients with symptomatic scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease

BACKGROUND

Lung disease has become the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in scleroderma (SSc) patients. The frequency, nature, and progression of interstitial lung disease seen on high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans in patients with diffuse SSc (dcSSc) compared with those with limited SSc (lcSSc) has not been well characterized.

METHODS

Baseline HRCT scan images of 162 participants randomized into a National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial were compared to clinical features, pulmonary function test measures, and BAL fluid cellularity. The extent and distribution of interstitial lung disease HRCT findings, including pure ground-glass opacity (pGGO), pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and honeycomb cysts (HCs), were recorded in the upper, middle, and lower lung zones on baseline and follow-up CT scan studies.

RESULTS

HRCT scan findings included 92.9% PF, 49.4% pGGO, and 37.2% HCs. There was a significantly higher incidence of HCs in the three zones in lcSSc patients compared to dcSSc patients (p = 0.034, p = 0.048, and p = 0.0007, respectively). The extent of PF seen on HRCT scans was significantly negatively correlated with FVC (r = - 0.22), diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (r = - 0.44), and total lung capacity (r = - 0.36). A positive correlation was found between pGGO and the increased number of acute inflammatory cells found in BAL fluid (r = 0.28). In the placebo group, disease progression was assessed as 30% in the upper and middle lung zones, and 45% in the lower lung zones. No difference in the progression rate was seen between lcSSc and dcSSc patients.

CONCLUSIONS

PF and GGO were the most common HRCT scan findings in symptomatic SSc patients. HCs were seen in more than one third of cases, being more common in lcSSc vs dcSSc. There was no relationship between progression and baseline PF extent or lcSSc vs dcSSc.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00004563.

Applicability of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the applicability of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) as an instrument to measure health-related quality of life in a sample of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) through the analysis of its reproducibility and its correlation with functional and clinical parameters.

METHODS

A test-retest reproducibility study for the comparative analysis of the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of the SF-12 and the SF-36. A total of 46 patients diagnosed with PSS were studied, regardless of the presence of respiratory symptoms.

RESULTS

The physical component summary 12 (PCS-12) score had an ICC of 0.47 (95%CI: 0.05-0.71; p < 0.02), whereas the mental component summary (MCS-12) score had an ICC of 0.72 (95%CI: 0.49-0.84; p < 0.001). The PCS-36 score had an ICC of 0.88 (95%CI: 0.78-0.93; p < 0.001), and the MCS-36 score also had an ICC of 0.88 (95%CI: 0.78-0.93; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The SF-12 is a reliable instrument for measuring health-related quality of life in patients with PSS, since it has been proven to be reproducible. However, this version of the SF-12 should only be used in clinical research settings.

Lung involvement in systemic connective tissue diseases

Background/Aim. Systemic connective tissue diseases (SCTD) are chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders of unknown cause that can involve different organs and systems. Their course and prognosis are different. All of them can, more or less, involve the respiratory system. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of respiratory symptoms, lung function disorders, radiography and high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) abnormalities, and their correlation with the duration of the disease and the applied treatment. Methods. In 47 non-randomized consecutive patients standard chest radiography, HRCT, and lung function tests were done. Results. Hypoxemia was present in nine of the patients with respiratory symptoms (20%). In all of them chest radiography was normal. In five of these patients lung fibrosis was established using HRCT. Half of all the patients with SCTD had symptoms of lung involvement. Lung function tests disorders of various degrees were found in 40% of the patients. The outcome and the degree of lung function disorders were neither in correlation with the duration of SCTD nor with therapy used (p > 0.05 Spearmans Ro). Conclusion. Pulmonary fibrosis occurs in about 10% of the patients with SCTD, and possibly not due to the applied treatment regimens. Hypoxemia could be a sing of existing pulmonary fibrosis in the absence of disorders on standard chest radiography.

Bronchoalveolar lavage and response to cyclophosphamide in scleroderma interstitial lung disease

RATIONALE

The presence of inflammatory cells on bronchoalveolar lavage is often used to predict disease activity and the need for therapy in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether lavage cellularity identifies distinct subsets of disease and/or predicts cyclophosphamide responsiveness.

METHODS

Patients underwent baseline lavage and/or high-resolution computed tomography as part of a randomized placebo-controlled trial of cyclophosphamide versus placebo (Scleroderma Lung Study) to determine the effect of therapy on forced vital capacity. Patients with 3% or greater polymorphonuclear and/or 2% or greater eosinophilic leukocytes on lavage and/or ground-glass opacification on computed tomography were eligible for enrollment.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Lavage was performed in 201 individuals, including 141 of the 158 randomized patients. Abnormal cellularity was present in 101 of these cases (71.6%) and defined a population with a higher percentage of men (P = 0.04), more severe lung function, including a worse forced vital capacity (P = 0.003), worse total lung capacity (P = 0.005) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (P = 0.004), more extensive ground-glass opacity (P = 0.005), and more extensive fibrosis in the right middle lobe (P = 0.005). Despite these relationships, the presence or absence of an abnormal cell differential was not an independent predictor of disease progression or response to cyclophosphamide at 1 year (P = not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of an abnormal lavage in the Scleroderma Lung Study defined patients with more advanced interstitial lung disease but added no additional value to physiologic and computed tomography findings as a predictor of progression or treatment response. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 000004563).

Reduced Exercise Capacity and Stress-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Scleroderma

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the incidence of stress-induced pulmonary artery (PA) systolic hypertension in a referral population of patients with scleroderma, and to examine the relation between stress-induced pulmonary systolic hypertension and exercise capacity in this population.

BACKGROUND

Early detection of patients with scleroderma at risk for pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) could lead to more timely intervention and thus reduce morbidity and improve mortality. The change in PA systolic pressure (PASP) with exercise provides a possible tool for such detection.

METHODS

Sixty-five patients with scleroderma (9 men and 56 women; mean age 51 +/- 12 years [SD]), normal resting PASP, and normal resting left ventricular function underwent exercise Doppler echocardiography using a standard Bruce protocol. Tricuspid regurgitation velocity was measured before and after exercise. Exercise variables including workload achieved in metabolic equivalents (METS), total exercise time, percentage of target heart rate achieved, and PASP at rest and within 60 s after exercise were recorded.

RESULTS

Thirty patients (46%) demonstrated an increase in PASP to > 35 mm Hg plus an estimated right atrial pressure of 5 mm Hg. Postexercise PASP inversely correlated to both the maximum workload achieved (r = - 0.34, p = 0.006) and exercise time (r = - 0.31, p = 0.01). In women, the correlation was more significant (r = - 0.38, p = 0.003). Patients in the lowest quartile of exercise time, with the least cardiac workload achieved, produced the highest postexercise PASP.

CONCLUSION

Stress-induced PHTN is common in patients with scleroderma, even when resting PASP is normal. Stress Doppler echocardiography identifies scleroderma patients with an abnormal rise in PASP during exertion. Peak PASP is linearly related to exercise time and maximum workload achieved. Measurement of PASP during exercise may prove to be a useful tool for the identification of future resting PHTN.

Pulmonale Manifestationen bei Erkrankungen des rheumatischen Formenkreises

Collagen based vascular diseases with pulmonary involvement comprise rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren's syndrome, and mixed connective tissue diseases. The different characteristics of pulmonary involvement are described. In such circumstances, early recognition of lung involvement is of considerable significance and the relationship to the corresponding disease has to be made. Frequently unrecognised pulmonary involvement ends up as fibrosis with irreversible deficits in respiratory function.

The respiratory system in connective tissue disorders

The connective tissue disorders (also called collagen vascular diseases) represent an heterogeneous group of immunologically mediated inflammatory disorders with a large variety of affected organs besides the lungs. The respiratory system may be involved in all its components: airways, vessels, parenchyma, pleura, respiratory muscles, etc. The frequency, clinical presentation, prognosis and response to therapy vary, depending on the pattern of involvement as well as on the underlying connective tissue disorders. The subject of this review is to describe the most frequent type of lung disorders observed in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). We will focus on the most frequent CTD: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, dermatopolymyositis and mixed CTD.

Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in Systemic Sclerosis

Respiratory failure from causes exclusive of intrinsic lung disease is rare in systemic sclerosis. We report an unusual case of a young woman with diffuse systemic sclerosis who presented with proximal muscle weakness, dyspnea, weight loss, and nasal regurgitation. On physical examination, she had normal breath sounds but severe limitation of chest wall expansion. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were consistent with restrictive lung disease. Pulmonary pressures were normal on right heart catheterization and chest radiography and high-resolution computed tomography showed no evidence of intrinsic lung disease. Quadriceps muscle biopsy was consistent with type II atrophy, without any element of inflammatory myositis. After a meal, the patient aspirated, developed severe persistent hypercapnia, and required ventilatory support. Therapy with corticosteroids and intravenous gamma globulin failed to improve her condition, and the patient subsequently expired. Hypercapnic respiratory failure on the basis of chest wall involvement from systemic sclerosis may occur in the absence of intrinsic lung disease, and the prognosis, as in this case, may be grave.

Pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a life threatening complication of several connective tissue diseases including scleroderma (both diffuse and limited scleroderma, or the CREST syndrome--calcinosis cutis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, and telangectasia), systemic lupus erythomatosis (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and less commonly, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and dermatomyositis/polymyositis. This report reviews the occurrence of this complication, potential etiologies, clinical presentation, and treatment options.

Interstitial lung diseases associated with collagen vascular diseases: radiologic and histopathologic findings

Collagen vascular diseases that demonstrate features of interstitial lung disease include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, progressive systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjögren syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease. At histopathologic analysis, interstitial lung diseases associated with collagen vascular diseases are diverse and include nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonia, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), apical fibrosis, diffuse alveolar damage, and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. Although proportions of interstitial pneumonias vary, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia accounts for a large proportion, especially in progressive systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, and mixed connective tissue disease. The more favorable prognosis in interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular diseases than in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias may be explained by the larger proportion of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia than of usual interstitial pneumonia. High-resolution computed tomography seems to help characterize and determine the extent of interstitial lung disease in collagen vascular diseases.

Life-threatening complications of systemic sclerosis

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is common in patients with SSc. Fig. 1 shows the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to PAH in SSc. Doppler echocardiography may suggest the diagnosis, but RHC is necessary to confirm PAH and to measure vasoreactivity. Therapy is directed at the underlying connective tissue disease. Vasoreactive patients often benefit from therapy with high-dose calcium-channel [figure: see text] blockers, but most patients are not vasoreactive. Intravenous epoprostenol and oral endothelin-1 receptor antagonists improve hemodynamic measurements and symptoms in SSc-associated PAH. The therapy of right ventricular failure is focused on vasodilators, inotropes, and diuretics with careful attention to avoiding systemic hypotension. The scleroderma pulmonary-renal syndrome and the scleroderma renal crisis are distinct syndromes with different clinical presentations, histopathologic manifestations, treatments, and outcomes. The scleroderma pulmonary renal syndrome is an autoimmune vasculitis of kidney and lung associated with normal blood pressure. Treatment is supportive, and prognosis is dismal. In contrast, scleroderma renal crisis is associated with systemic hypertension, onion skinning of afferent arterioles, and response to ACE inhibition and renal replacement therapy. Pericardial effusions are common but only occasionally lead to tamponade. Esophageal dysmotility is often associated with aspiration, leading to pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, or ARDS. Diffuse bowel involvement may result in pseudo-obstruction, bacterial overgrowth, or malabsorption. Prokinetic agents, antibiotics, and parenteral nutrition may be required.

Bronchiectasis in a patient with CREST syndrome

Bronchiectasis is an uncommon pulmonary manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with CREST syndrome and vasculitis who developed multifocal symptomatic bronchiectasis. The bronchiectasis and immunosuppressive therapy precipitated severe lower respiratory tract infection, which was fatal within a few months. The concomitant occurrence of bronchiectasis and SSc raises the possibility of a pathophysiological relationship. Several hypotheses can be put forward to explain the occurrence of bronchial wall damage leading to bronchiectasis. Whatever the mechanism, cases of bronchiectasis in patients with SSc should be reported to make physicians aware of the substantial risk associated with this combination.

Rheumatologic diseases in the intensive care unit: epidemiology, clinical approach, management, and outcome

Patients with systemic rheumatic diseases may be admitted to the ICU because of worsening of or development of a new manifestation of the rheumatic disease, infections caused by immunosuppression, or adverse effects of drugs used to treat rheumatic diseases. Sometimes an unrelated, acute disorder may become life threatening because of the underlying rheumatic disorder. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common rheumatic disease seen in ICU patients, followed by systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. These three conditions together account for up to 75% of rheumatic cases admitted to the ICU. The respiratory system is the organ system most commonly affected in the acute process, followed by the renal, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. More than 50% of admissions result from infections, and 25% to 35% result from exacerbation of the underlying rheumatic condition. In about 20% of patients, the rheumatic disorder may be diagnosed for the first time in the ICU. An aggressive approach should be pursued to establish the diagnosis of either disease exacerbation or infection. Delay in instituting appropriate immunosuppressive or antimicrobial therapy may result in multiple organ system failure and a poor outcome. The mortality rate in patients with rheumatic disease exceeds that predicted by the APACHE II or SAPS II scores and is higher than that in nonrheumatologic ICU admissions. The mortality may exceed 50% in patients admitted for infection; the prognosis is comparatively better for patients with exacerbations of disease activity. Renal failure, coma, and acute abdomen are predictors of poor outcome. Early recognition of abdominal complications requiring surgical intervention may help reduce mortality.

Histopathologic subsets of fibrosing alveolitis in patients with systemic sclerosis and their relationship to outcome

Fibrosing alveolitis associated with systemic sclerosis (FASSc) has a better prognosis than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In view of recent reports that idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) has a better prognosis than idiopathic usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), we classified histologic appearances of surgical lung biopsies performed in 80 patients with FASSc. NSIP (n = 62, 77.5%), subcategorized as cellular NSIP (n = 15) and fibrotic NSIP (n = 47) was much more prevalent than UIP (n = 6), end-stage lung disease (ESL, n = 6), or other patterns (n = 6). There were 25 deaths (NSIP 16/62, 26%; UIP/ESL 6/12, 50%). Five-year survival differed little between NSIP (91%) and UIP/ESL (82%); mortality was associated with lower initial carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL(CO)) and FVC levels (p = 0.004 and p = 0.007, respectively). Survival and serial FVC and DL(CO) trends did not differ between cellular and fibrotic NSIP. Increased mortality in NSIP was associated with lower initial DL(CO) levels (p = 0.04), higher BAL eosinophil levels (p = 0.03), and deterioration in DL(CO) levels during the next 3 years (p < 0.005). We conclude that NSIP is the histopathologic pattern in most patients with FASSc. However, outcome is linked more strongly to disease severity at presentation and serial DL(CO) trends than to histopathologic findings.

Recognition and management of scleroderma in children

Juvenile scleroderma is a rare disease of childhood. The 2 main forms are localised and systemic scleroderma, although the pathogenesis of both forms is still unclear. The main clinical characteristic is the presence of skin sclerosis. Localised scleroderma can be divided into 3 different subtypes: morphoea, linear scleroderma and 'coup de sabre' lesions. The incidence is 0.2 to 0.4 per 100,000. 25 to 40% of patients are rheumatoid factor positive and 23 to 67% antinuclear antibody positive. An increased number of eosinophils occur in 31% of patients. Systemic sclerosis is an even rarer disease; approximately 10% of patients evolve the disease before the age of 18 years. The clinical presentation and disease course differ from the adult disease. This is reflected in the much better outcome. With regard to therapeutic options, there is still no gold standard for either form of the disease.

High-resolution CT of lung disease related to collagen vascular disease

Although connective tissue diseases may have similar radiographic appearances, a variety of pathologic processes can be seen in the lung of these patients. In such circumstances, early recognition of lung involvement is now easily demonstrated by imaging methods. The development of thin-section and dynamic CT techniques has significantly improved diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, expiratory HRCT is a helpful technique in demonstrating air trapping in these patients. The radiologist plays a significant role in the evaluation of pulmonary manifestations of connective tissue diseases.

Pulmonary-renal syndrome in systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Renal failure, pulmonary hypertension, and interstitial lung disease are major causes of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the concomitant occurrence of pulmonary hemorrhage associated with acute renal failure in SSc has been rarely described. The present study is the first analysis of pulmonary-renal syndrome in SSc.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We present a 44-year-old woman with SSc who died of a fulminant course of acute renal failure associated with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. We termed this uncommon and fatal complication of SSc scleroderma-pulmonary-renal syndrome (SPRS). A search of the English-written literature yielded reports of 10 additional similar cases. These patients, together with our present case, form the basis of the present analysis.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients with SPRS was 46 years. The majority of the patients (80%) were women, and most had diffuse SSc. SPRS occurred an average of 6.4 years after disease onset and was associated with prior fibrosing alveolitis and/or D-penicillamine treatment. Interestingly, normotensive renal failure seems to characterize the scleroderma patients, because 9 of 11 (82%) had normal blood pressure. SPRS bears a poor prognosis: all of the 11 patients (100%) died within 12 months of admission. However, only 60% of the 5 patients for whom we have treatment data received corticosteroids.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary-renal syndrome is a rare but fatal complication of SSc. Because the treatment data are scarce and the prognosis is poor, aggressive treatment with pulse corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and possibly plasmapheresis is suggested.