Recently, new and improved medications have been made available to help patients with so-called interstitial lung diseases. These are diseases that are often times associated with a group of other diseases called autoimmune rheumatic diseases which encompass various other disorders which only tend to complicate the overall clinical picture.
To be clear, an autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system of our bodies begins to react against some of our own tissues in a variety of locations. One of the most common associations for interstitial lung disease is with connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and other connective tissue diseases. The scarring that occurs in the lungs of these patients is permanent and, as yet, doctors cannot reverse the process. However, making an accurate and timely diagnosis will allow for the application of medications that not only control the underlying connective tissue disease but also help to stabilize and reduce the progression of scarring in the lungs.
Patients who have connective tissue disease need to be screened periodically for the development of lung involvement. The scarring in the lungs may not occur initially and by the time the patient has significant symptoms the interstitial lung disease has progressed to dangerous levels. Patients who are severely affected may need special medications to help reduce progression and, depending on the patient’s age and general health, may need to be considered for lung transplantation.
If you have a connective tissue disease, discuss the possibility of lung disease with your doctor.
