Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis: A Single-center Retrospective Analysis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pulmonology
• Immunology

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease marked by microangiopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis.
• Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent complication in SSc patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the clinical, laboratory, and serological features of SSc patients with ILD.
• To determine the frequency of chest computed tomography (CT) findings in SSc-ILD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 226 SSc patients from January 2007 to August 2019.
• Comparison of clinical, laboratory, and serological data between SSc patients with and without ILD.
• Analysis of chest CT features in SSc patients with ILD.

Main Results:

• SSc patients with ILD had longer disease duration and follow-up times.
• Independent predictors for ILD in SSc included longer disease duration, gastrointestinal involvement, and anti-SCL70 positivity.
• Anti-CENP-B positivity showed an inverse association with ILD.
• Common CT patterns were non-specific interstitial pneumonia (82.5%), usual interstitial pneumonia (14.4%), and desquamative interstitial pneumonia (2.1%).
• Frequent CT findings included ground-glass opacification (88.7%), reticulation (64.9%), and traction bronchiectasis (57.7%).

Conclusions:

• Anti-SCL70 positivity, extended disease duration, and gastrointestinal involvement are associated with ILD in SSc.
• These findings aid in identifying SSc patients at higher risk for ILD.