Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Effects of rituximab in connective tissue disorders related interstitial lung disease
Gemma Lepri1, Jerome Avouac2, Paolo Airò3
1Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, AOUC, University of Florence, Italy; and Paris Descartes University, Rheumatology A Dept., APHP, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France.
Objectives:
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a key prognostic factor in connective tissue disorders (CTDs). The aim of our study was to assess the changes in pulmonary functional tests (PFTs) in various CTDs, including anti-synthetase syndrome (SYN), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and mixed connective tissue disorder (MCTD), following the use of rituximab therapy.
Methods:
A multicentre retrospective analysis of patients with ILD secondary to SYN (n=15), MCTD (n=6) and SSc (n=23). PFTs were performed at baseline and at 1 and 2 years of follow-up. The primary outcome was the change in forced vital capacity (FVC) at 1 year.
Results:
In the SYN population, median FVC changed from 53.0% (42.0-90.0) at baseline to 51.4% (45.6-85.0) at 1 year and 63.0 (50-88) (p=0.6) at 2 years (p=0.14). In SSc, FVC changed from 81.0% (66.0-104.0) at baseline to 89.0% (65.0-113.0) at 1 year (p=0.1) and 74.5 (50-91) at 2 years (p=0.07). In the MCTD population, FVC changed from 64.5% (63.0-68.0) at baseline to 63.0% (59.0-71.0) at 1 year (p=0.6) and 61 (59-71) after 2 years (p=0.8). DLCO showed a trend for improvement in the SYN population (p=0.06 at 1 year and 0.2 at years) while changes remain non-significant in the SSc and MCTD patients. In SYN patients, the percentage of responders at 1 year for FVC (33.3%) was greater than in SSc (9.5%) (p=0.07) and MCTD (17%) (p=0.45). RTX showed a satisfactory safety profile.
Conclusions:
A trend of improvement of PFTs was observed in SYN patients although not reaching significance, while SSc and MCTD patients were stabilised.
Related Concept Videos
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
