title: Management of Systemic-Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.
abstract: Although scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is a significant contributor to both morbidity and mortality, its pathogenesis is largely unclear. Pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomographic scanning continue to be the most effective tools to screen for lung involvement and to monitor for disease progression. More research and better biomarkers are needed to identify patients most at risk for developing SSc-ILD as well as to recognize which of these patients will progress to more severe disease. Although immunosuppression remains the mainstay of treatment, antifibrotic agents may offer new avenues of treatment for patients with SSc-ILD in the future.
authors.affiliation: Adult & Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Suite 816, Clinical Sciences Building, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine Culp
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Suite 816, Clinical Sciences Building, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. Electronic address: silverr@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Silver
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: Cyclophosphamide; Interstitial lung disease (ILD); Rituximab; Stem cell transplant; Systemic sclerosis (SSc)