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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Mycophenolate mofetil in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease
Athanasios Koutroumpas1, Athanasios Ziogas, Ioannis Alexiou
1Department of Rheumatology, Thessaly University School of Medicine, Larissa 41110, Greece.
Clinical Rheumatology
|June 10, 2010
Summary
Mofetil mycophenolate (MMF) may stabilize lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). This study found MMF improved forced vital capacity over 12 months but did not affect skin scores.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis affecting skin and internal organs.
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common and serious complication of SSc, significantly impacting patient morbidity and mortality.
- Current treatments for SSc-ILD have limited efficacy, necessitating exploration of novel therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of mofetil mycophenolate (MMF) in improving lung function and skin manifestations in patients with SSc-ILD.
- To assess the impact of MMF on key pulmonary parameters and skin scores over a 12-month treatment period.
- To determine if MMF can stabilize or improve lung function in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records from 10 SSc-ILD patients (8 female, mean age 59.7 years).
- Patients received MMF at a dosage of 2 g/day for 12 months.
- Lung function tests (forced vital capacity, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity) and modified Rodnan total skin score (mRTSS) were measured at baseline and 12 months.
- Paired Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in forced vital capacity (p=0.04) was observed after 12 months of MMF treatment.
- Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity showed a nonsignificant increase (p=0.66) over the study period.
- No significant change was noted in the modified Rodnan total skin score (mRTSS), indicating no improvement in skin fibrosis.
Conclusions:
- MMF demonstrates a potential to stabilize lung function, specifically improving forced vital capacity, in patients with SSc-ILD.
- MMF did not show a significant effect on skin fibrosis as measured by mRTSS in this cohort.
- Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of MMF for SSc-ILD.
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