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Association of bronchiolitis with connective tissue disorders
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|August 1, 1986
Summary
Connective tissue disorders (CTD) are linked to bronchiolitis, a small airway disease. Smoking alone does not cause these CTD-associated lung changes, suggesting a direct link to the underlying disorder.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Bronchiolitis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Connective tissue disorders (CTD) are associated with various pulmonary manifestations.
- The specific contribution of CTD to small airway disease remains unclear.
Observation:
- Nine out of 173 open lung biopsies showed bronchiolitis.
- Seven of these patients had a diagnosed CTD, including rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.
- Histological analysis revealed increased intraluminal plugs and lymphoplasmocytic infiltration in CTD patients compared to controls.
Findings:
- Bronchiolar lesions in CTD patients were more prevalent and abundant than in smoking controls without CTD.
- Two CTD patients exhibited obliterative bronchiolitis.
- Corticosteroid treatment showed limited efficacy, with one of four patients improving.
Implications:
- Smoking alone does not fully explain small airway lesions observed in CTD patients.
- Bronchiolitis may be specifically associated with the underlying connective tissue disorder.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathogenesis and optimal treatment of CTD-associated bronchiolitis.