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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Drug-Induced Respiratory Disease in Connective Tissue Diseases

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Publisher Summary This chapter discusses drug-induced respiratory disease in connective tissue diseases. Drug-induced lung diseases (DILDs) vary in severity from mild to life threatening. Generally, DILDs subside upon drug discontinuance, and leave permanent sequelae in a minority of patients. Less frequently, DILDs persist unabated, or progress despite drug withdrawal, requiring specific management. Drugs used in connective tissue diseases (CTDs) can produce a constellation of pulmonary and systemic reactions. These can mimic pulmonary involvement from CTD, a systemic disease, or an infection, and are difficult to prevent, predict, and diagnose. Maintaining a high index of suspicion enables earlier recognition of drug induced diseases, and early drug withdrawal. This can translate into improved prognosis. Diagnosing DILD in CTD is an increasingly complex exercise. Patients may be exposed to more than one drug causing adverse pulmonary reactions, and drugs can cause more than one pattern of injury.