title: Connective tissue diseases, multimorbidity and the ageing lung.
abstract: Connective tissue diseases encompass a wide range of heterogeneous disorders characterised by immune-mediated chronic inflammation often leading to tissue damage, collagen deposition and possible loss of function of the target organ. Lung involvement is a common complication of connective tissue diseases. Depending on the underlying disease, various thoracic compartments can be involved but interstitial lung disease is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension or both are found most commonly in systemic sclerosis. In the elderly, the prevalence of connective tissue diseases continues to rise due to both longer life expectancy and more effective and better-tolerated treatments. In the geriatric population, connective tissue diseases are almost invariably accompanied by age-related comorbidities, and disease- and treatment-related complications, which contribute to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions, and complicate treatment decision-making. Connective tissue diseases in the elderly represent a growing concern for healthcare providers and an increasing burden of global health resources worldwide. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the immune functions in the elderly and evidence-based guidelines specifically designed for this patient population are instrumental to improving the management of connective tissue diseases in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Medical University Clinic, Canton Hospital Baselland, and University of Basel, Liestal, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
authors.affiliation: Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Louis Pradel, National Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Lyon, France Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, University of Lyon, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cordier
authors.affiliation: Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Louis Pradel, National Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Lyon, France Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, University of Lyon, Lyon, France INRA, UMR754, Lyon, France vincent.cottin@chu-lyon.fr.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cottin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology; D002423:Cause of Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000503:physiopathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D000076322:Multimorbidity; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000503:physiopathology