Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease.

Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) represents a group of systemic autoimmune disorders characterized by immune-mediated organ dysfunction. Systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic inflammatory myositis, and Sjögren's syndrome are the most common CTDs that present with pulmonary involvement, as well as with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. The frequency of CTD-ILD varies according to the type of CTD, but the overall incidence is 15%, causing an important impact on morbidity and mortality.

Assessment of risk factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Objective: To assess the risk factors for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the association of ILD with the use of methotrexate as well as with joint disease activity.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted between March and December 2019 at a tertiary healthcare center, in a follow-up of RA patients who had undergone pulmonary function tests (PFT) and chest computed tomography. We evaluated the tomographic characteristics, such as the presence of ILD and its extension, as well as joint disease activity.

Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among patients with interstitial lung disease requiring immunosuppression.

Objective: To characterize the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) requiring immunosuppression. Only 5 to 10% of individuals infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis develop tuberculosis, and certain groups of patients have an increased risk of illness, such as the immunocompromised. Patients with ILDs are frequently treated with immunosuppressants and, therefore, might have a higher risk of developing the disease.

Clinical diagnosis of patients subjected to surgical lung biopsy with a probable usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on high-resolution computed tomography.

Background: Usual interstitial pneumonia can present with a probable pattern on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), but the probability of identifying usual interstitial pneumonia by surgical lung biopsy in such cases remains controversial. We aimed to determine the final clinical diagnosis in patients with a probable usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on HRCT who were subjected to surgical lung biopsy.

Methods: HRCT images were assessed and categorized by three radiologists, and tissue slides were evaluated by two pathologists, all of whom were blinded to the clinical findings.

Airway-centered interstitial fibrosis: etiology, clinical findings and prognosis.

Background: Airway-centered Interstitial Fibrosis (ACIF) is a common pathologic pattern observed in our practice.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to describe the causes associated with ACIF in a large sample of patients and its effect on survival.

Methods: A retrospective study in three centers of interstitial lung disease in São Paulo, between January of 1995 and December of 2012.