Diffuse alveolar damage and recurrent respiratory failure: report of 6 cases

We report 6 patients in whom diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was found on 1 or more lung biopsy specimens and who experienced recurrent episodes of acute respiratory failure. The patients ranged in age from 43 to 55 years. Two to five episodes of respiratory failure occurred in each over a period of 4 months to 2 years. One patient developed evidence of chronic lung disease; while the others remained well between episodes. Lung biopsies showed the acute stage of DAD in 3, overlapping acute and organizing stages in 3, and the organizing stage in 2. A definite cause was not identifiable in any. However, 4 had been treated with narcotics for chronic pain before the first episode, and 1 received this treatment before the recurrent episode. Three also were receiving psychotropic drugs for anxiety and depression. Five patients had evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and/or hiatal hernia, 2 of whom underwent Nissen fundoplication in hopes of preventing future recurrences. Although a definite cause of the recurrent DAD was not identified, the findings suggest the possibility of a reaction to narcotics and/or psychotropic drugs in some patients, with a possible additional effect of GERD. A drug history should be carefully elicited in patients with recurrent DAD, and all potentially toxic drugs should be stopped.