Interstitial lung disease in connective tissue diseases: evolving strategies across the disease spectrum

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent and often clinically significant complication of connective tissue diseases (CTDs), with substantial heterogeneity in prevalence, clinical manifestations and disease trajectories. This themed issue of Rheumatology presents a comprehensive collection of original studies addressing critical aspects of CTD-associated ILD, including early detection, disease monitoring, prognostication and therapeutic strategies. Advances in screening, such as lung ultrasound and deep-learning algorithms, are enhancing early ILD detection, quantification and characterization. Novel biomarkers and genetic risk factors are being explored to support individualized risk stratification across CTDs. With the publication of recent international guidelines, evidence-based management of CTD-ILD has become more structured, providing clinicians with a clearer framework for decision-making, while real-world studies continue to refine these approaches and identify remaining therapeutic gaps. The issue also highlights emerging therapies and the need for precision-based interventions tailored to disease subtype, progression risk and comorbidities. Collectively, these contributions underscore the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and continued research to improve outcomes for patients with CTD-ILD.