Pulmonary manifestations in adult rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Background: Rheumatic diseases frequently present with pulmonary involvement. All anatomic structures of the lungs can be affected. Interstitial lung diseases are characterized by a system of patterns evident in high-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) scanning of the lungs. The HR-CT pattern can differ between rheumatic diseases. Objective: Systematic description of all variants and patterns of pulmonary involvement in rheumatic diseases. Material and methods: Narrative review based on the current literature on the topic from the perspective of rheumatology, pulmonary diseases and radiology. Results: Pulmonary involvement is frequent and prognostically relevant. The summary of pulmonary involvement reveals a high variability of affected anatomical structures as well as patterns of interstitial diseases for inflammatory rheumatic diseases. A synopsis of the main diagnostic findings is provided. Conclusion: Every rheumatic disease presented here can be associated with pulmonary involvement. Therefore, a systematic diagnostic evaluation is mandatory at the first diagnosis as well as during follow-up. Apart from clinical findings and lung function HR-CT of the lungs is decisive for the diagnostics.