Scleroderma lung: pathogenesis, evaluation, and current therapy.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is now the most common cause of mortality in scleroderma, although its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Management requires early detection and treatment before the onset of lung fibrosis. In a number of uncontrolled studies, the combination of daily oral cyclophosphamide and low-dose prednisone appears to be effective, although these conclusions have yet to be confirmed.
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Section of Rheumatology, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA.
Block
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Sequeira
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D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone