Pulmonary complications are a significant health issue for patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) in South Africa, causing high morbidity and mortality rates.
A study reviewed clinical records of adult IIM patients with respiratory issues in a tertiary care facility, revealing that most patients suffered from dermatomyositis and exhibited symptoms like dyspnoea and dry cough.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) emerged as the most common complication, with associations found between respiratory symptoms and poorer lung function outcomes over time.