Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in patients affected by systemic sclerosis: What should the rheumatologist do?

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jun;98(26):e16086. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016086.

Abstract

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare new interstitial lung disease (ILD) characterized by the fibrotic thickening of the visceral pleura and subadjacent parenchymal areas of the upper lobes This study reveals that patients with ILD-SSc associated with chest HRCT evidence of PPFE require close and recurrent follow-up with periodic evaluation of lung function parameters, DLCO and chest HRCT. Rheumatologists should be aware of this new radiological finding which is accompanied by a negative prognosis, especially when associated with a progressive course. Patients with this radiological pattern need to be monitored with particular attention.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / complications*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / therapy
  • Male
  • Pleural Diseases / complications*
  • Pleural Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pleural Diseases / therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / complications
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rheumatologists
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / therapy