Pulmonary Manifestations in Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells in mixed connective tissue disease

“…Although not originally recognized, pleuropulmonary manifestation is clearly now a major feature of MCTD, with a reported prevalence of 20–87% 3–6 . Most of the pleuropulmonary manifestations, both clinical and pathophysiological, are similar to those observed in SLE, SSc, and PM–DM 6–9 . The most common chest radiographical abnormality in MCTD is an interstitial pattern 6 .…”

“…Many of these changes are identical to those seen in the lungs of patients with SSc. Generally, the degree of fibrosis tends to be severe if the predominant clinical feature is that of SSc 7 . The clinical manifestations of pleuropulmonary involvement in SLE are numerous, but interstitial pneumonia and fibrosis are uncommon complications: radiographical evidence of disease has been noted in 0–3% of patients 10 …”

“…[3][4][5][6] Most of the pleuropulmonary manifestations, both clinical and pathophysiological, are similar to those observed in SLE, SSc, and PM-DM. [6][7][8][9] The most common chest radiographical abnormality in MCTD is an interstitial pattern. 6 Follow-up of five patients with MCTD revealed that two patients developed interstitial fibrosis with honeycomb formation, and infiltration of alveolar septa by plasma cells and lymphocytes.…”

“…Generally, the degree of fibrosis tends to be severe if the predominant clinical feature is that of SSc. 7 The clinical manifestations of pleuropulmonary involvement in SLE are numerous, but interstitial pneumonia and fibrosis are uncommon complications: radiographical evidence of disease has been noted in 0-3% of patients. 10 BAL is a useful technique to obtain and study cells from the pulmonary interstitium and alveolae, which may reflect the tissue pathology of inflammatory lung diseases.…”

Clinical and Immunoserological Characteristics of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Associated with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

“…In mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), the incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is between 20% and 30% [1–3]. At the beginning of the 1970s, no alterations in the respiratory tract were noted during the short time follow‐up of MCTD patients [4].…”