Respiratory involvement in autoimmune rheumatic diseases is frequent and easy to detect

90 patients with various autoimmune rheumatic diseases were evaluated for respiratory system involvement with simple clinical, roentgenological and functional methods. Seventy-three % had at least one indication of respiratory system involvement. The most common clinical findings were history of pleurisy, dyspnea and dry cough. The most frequent roentgenological pictures were pleural effusion or thickening and diffuse interstitial lung disease. The main functional abnormality was restriction followed by small airway disease. The study suggests that respiratory involvement in autoimmune rheumatic diseases is frequent and easy to detect.