What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to identify the frequency and outcomes of pleuropulmonary features in patients with connective tissue diseases and their correlation with disease duration.

May 29, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Pleuropulmonary Features in Connective Tissue Diseases

MMMohamed MousaAmoud University HEHoussam Eldin Abd ElnabyAl-Azhar University HAHany AlyCleveland Clinic

Key Points

The study aims to identify the frequency and outcomes of pleuropulmonary features in patients with connective tissue diseases and their correlation with disease duration.
Cross-sectional study conducted on 40 definitive cases of connective tissue disease with respiratory symptoms.
Patients were monitored at the rheumatology outpatient clinic in Al-Hussein University Hospital.
Correlations between pleuropulmonary manifestations and disease duration were assessed.
Pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease were identified in 45% and 35% of patients, respectively.
Pleural effusion correlated with a better clinical outcome, while other patterns like ILD and PHTN were linked to poor outcomes.
Longer durations of connective tissue disease corresponded with higher occurrences of ILD, lung cancer, and pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract

Background: Pleuropulmonary involvement could be noticed in almost all connective tissue diseases (CTDs), often next to articulo-skeletal manifestations. Therefore, early detection of respiratory affection is pivotal for the prognosis, since such involvement may boost morbidity and mortality. Aim of the work: To recognize the frequency and outcome of pleuropulmonary features in CTD patients, alongside investigating their correlations with the duration of the disease. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on forty patients with respiratory symptoms. They were all known as definitive CTD cases, and scheduled for follow-up at the rheumatology outpatient clinic in Al-Hussein University Hospital. Results: Pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) were the most frequent styles of pleuropulmonary involvement in CTD (45% and 35%, respectively). Pleural effusion showed a statistically significant good clinical outcome. Whereas, all patterns of parenchymal involvement (except lung abscess and rheumatoid nodule), pyopneumothorax and PHTN were associated with statistically significant unfavourable clinical outcome. ILD, lung cancer and PHTN displayed a statistically significant positive correlation with CTD duration. However, pleural effusion showed a statistically significant negative correlation with the same term. Conclusion: A wide variety of pleuropulmonary features in CTD patients occurs in the form of parenchymal affection and PHTN. Risk factors for poor clinical outcome in the context of CTD include ILD, pneumonia, lung cancer, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), pyopneumothorax and PHTN. Longer CTD duration is positively correlated with ILD, lung cancer and PHTN.

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