Management of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: lessons from SLS and FAST

Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2007 May;9(2):144-50. doi: 10.1007/s11926-007-0009-y.

Abstract

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a leading cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Two randomized controlled trials recently demonstrated the modest effects of cyclophosphamide on lung physiology (forced vital capacity) and extrapulmonary outcomes (dyspnea, function, quality of life, and skin thickening). Recommendations can now be made about the short-term management for SSc-ILD. However, many questions remain unanswered, including how long to treat with cyclophosphamide; whether patients should take maintenance therapy after the initial or induction phase; whether there are alternative therapies; how to treat patients with ILD and pulmonary hypertension; and how to treat patients with severe ILD.

MeSH terms

  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / etiology
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / physiopathology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / physiopathology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclophosphamide