title: Interstitial lung disease in the connective tissue diseases.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Yale Interstitial Lung Disease Program, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. danielle.antin-ozerkis@yale.edu
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Antin-Ozerkis
authors.forename: Ami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubinowitz
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Homer
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Matthay
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents