title: Management of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease.
abstract: A thorough, often multidisciplinary assessment to determine extrathoracic versus intrathoracic disease activity and degrees of impairment is needed to optimize the management of connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). Pharmacologic intervention with immunosuppression is the mainstay of therapy for all forms of CTD-ILD, but should be reserved for those that show clinically significant and/or progressive disease. The management of CTD-ILD is not yet evidence based and there is a need for controlled trials across the spectrum of CTD-ILD. Nonpharmacologic management strategies and addressing comorbidities or aggravating factors should be included in the comprehensive treatment plan for CTD-ILD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA; Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Clinic, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Université de Montréal, 5415 Boulevard de l'Assomption, Montréal, Québec H1T 2M4, Canada.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chartrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 1400 Jackson Street, G07, Denver, CO 80206, USA. Electronic address: fischera@njhealth.org.
authors.forename: Aryeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Collagen vascular disease; Connective tissue disease; Interstitial lung disease; Interstitial pneumonia; Management; Pulmonary fibrosis; Treatment