scholarly journals Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features: Why Rheumatologist-Pulmonologist Collaboration Is Essential

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Marco Sebastiani ◽  
Paola Faverio ◽  
Andreina Manfredi ◽  
Giulia Cassone ◽  
Caterina Vacchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Connective Tissue Disease ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Classification Criteria ◽  
European Respiratory Society

In 2015 the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) “Task Force on Undifferentiated Forms of Connective Tissue Disease-associated Interstitial Lung Disease” proposed classification criteria for a new research category defined as “Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features” (IPAF), to uniformly define patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and features of autoimmunity, without a definite connective tissue disease. These classification criteria were based on a variable combination of features obtained from three domains: a clinical domain consisting of extra-thoracic features, a serologic domain with specific autoantibodies, and a morphologic domain with imaging patterns, histopathological findings, or multicompartment involvement. Features suggesting a systemic vasculitis were excluded. Since publication of ERS/ATS IPAF research criteria, various retrospective studies have been published focusing on prevalence; clinical, morphological, and serological features; and prognosis of these patients showing a broad heterogeneity in the results. Recently, two prospective, cohort studies were performed, confirming the existence of some peculiarities for this clinical entity and the possible progression of IPAF to a defined connective tissue disease (CTD) in about 15% of cases. Moreover, a non-specific interstitial pneumonia pattern, an anti-nuclear antibody positivity, and a Raynaud phenomenon were the most common findings. In comparison with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), IPAF patients showed a better performance in pulmonary function tests and less necessity of oxygen delivery. However, at this stage of our knowledge, we believe that further prospective studies, possibly derived from multicenter cohorts and through randomized control trials, to further validate the proposed classification criteria are needed.

scholarly journals An official European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society research statement: interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 976-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aryeh Fischer ◽  
Katerina M. Antoniou ◽  
Kevin K. Brown ◽  
Jacques Cadranel ◽  
Tamera J. Corte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Connective Tissue Disease ◽  
Task Force ◽  
American Thoracic Society ◽  
Classification Criteria ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Autoimmune Process ◽  
European Respiratory Society ◽  
Society Research

Many patients with an idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) have clinical features that suggest an underlying autoimmune process but do not meet established criteria for a connective tissue disease (CTD). Researchers have proposed differing criteria and terms to describe these patients, and lack of consensus over nomenclature and classification limits the ability to conduct prospective studies of a uniform cohort.The “European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society Task Force on Undifferentiated Forms of Connective Tissue Disease-associated Interstitial Lung Disease” was formed to create consensus regarding the nomenclature and classification criteria for patients with IIP and features of autoimmunity.The task force proposes the term “interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features” (IPAF) and offers classification criteria organised around the presence of a combination of features from three domains: a clinical domain consisting of specific extra-thoracic features, a serologic domain consisting of specific autoantibodies, and a morphologic domain consisting of specific chest imaging, histopathologic or pulmonary physiologic features.A designation of IPAF should be used to identify individuals with IIP and features suggestive of, but not definitive for, a CTD. With IPAF, a sound platform has been provided from which to launch the requisite future research investigations of a more uniform cohort.

Interstitial Pneumonia with Autoimmune Features and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (02) ◽  
pp. 271-277
Author(s):  
Andrea K. Chernau ◽  
Paolo M. Leone ◽  
Jeffrey J. Swigris
Keyword(s):  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Connective Tissue Disease ◽  
Antinuclear Antibodies ◽  
Retrospective Studies ◽  
Task Force ◽  
American Thoracic Society ◽  
Classification Criteria ◽  
Serological Evidence ◽  
European Respiratory Society

AbstractIn 2015, a multidisciplinary task force comprising pulmonologists, rheumatologists, pathologists, and radiologists representing the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society published a diagnostic classification schema for individuals with interstitial lung disease and autoimmune features who did not meet criteria for a defined connective tissue disease. The term interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) was applied. Classification criteria are often nonspecific, but up to 90% of subjects with IPAF have serological evidence for autoimmunity (particularly (+) antinuclear antibodies). Distinguishing patients with IPAF from idiopathic pulmonary disorders may be difficult. The natural history and appropriate management of IPAF have not been clarified, as data are largely limited to retrospective studies. In this review, we discuss the salient clinical, serologic, histologic, and radiographic features of IPAF and discuss an approach to management.

Effect of Cotreatment with Corticosteroids in Connective Tissue Related Lung Disease (CTD-ILD) Patients on Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Caricchio ◽  
Erin R Narewski ◽  
Ryan Townsend ◽  
Stephen Codella ◽  
Jin Sun Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mycophenolate Mofetil ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Connective Tissue Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Usual Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Inflammatory Myositis ◽  
Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis

Abstract Introduction: Connective Tissue Disease Related Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD-ILD) is often treated with immunosuppressant medications; common among these is Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF). We hypothesized that co-treatment with corticosteroids would impact disease progression.Methods: We examined a consecutive cohort of CTD-ILD patients followed at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA since 2015 who had pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed by American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Criteria at least one year apart. All patients were treated for CTD-ILD with MMF used either as sole therapy or as combination therapy with prednisone. Univariate logistic analyses were performed revealing the odds ratio (OR) for improvement or worsening of several PFT values (including forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), and six-minute walk (6MW)) greater than the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for each value.Results: We included 103 patients (74 women) with an average age of 60 ± 11 years, 49% of our cohort were current or former smokers, and mean BMI was 29 ± 7 kg/m2. Patients were observed on treatment for an average of 23 months. CTD distribution included 25% mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), 24% systemic sclerosis (SSc), 17% rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 14% systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 10% other idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) syndromes, 7% Antisynthetase Syndrome, 5% Sjӧgren’s syndrome. Non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) was the majority (45%) ILD pattern noted, Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) 35%, and other types were less prevalent (20%). The majority of patients received corticosteroids as co-treatment with MMF (75 patients (72%)) with a mean daily dose of 15 ± 16 mg of prednisone. Mean daily MMF dose was 1144 ± 675 mg. Glucocorticoid treatment was not associated with significant improvements in PFT values, including FVC, DLCO, and 6MW distance walked.Conclusion: In this small cohort, patients with CTD-ILD receiving MMF did not demonstrate improved lung function when receiving co-treatment with corticosteroids, but larger prospective studies are needed to better elucidate the effect of corticosteroids on this vulnerable group of patients.

scholarly journals Centrilobular Fibrosis in Fibrotic (Chronic) Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Usual Interstitial Pneumonia, and Connective Tissue Disease–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 144 (12) ◽  
pp. 1509-1516
Author(s):  
Andrew Churg
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Connective Tissue Disease ◽  
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis ◽  
Interstitial Fibrosis ◽  
Usual Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Diffuse Fibrosis ◽  
Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Context.— Various pulmonary diseases can produce centrilobular (peribronchiolar) fibrosis, which may be isolated or associated with other patterns of more diffuse fibrosis. The major forms of interstitial lung disease in which centrilobular fibrosis is found are fibrotic (chronic) hypersensitivity pneumonitis, connective tissue disease–associated interstitial lung disease, and (a disputed issue) usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic interstitial fibrosis. Objective.— To review recent literature that addresses separation of these entities. Data Sources.— Data comprised recent publications. Conclusions.— In a specially constructed multidisciplinary discussion exercise, it was found that peribronchiolar metaplasia affecting more than half the bronchioles or more than 2 foci of peribronchiolar metaplasia per square centimeter of biopsy area was strongly associated with a confident diagnosis of fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Giant cells or granulomas were only found in cases with a greater than 50% diagnostic confidence in hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Conversely, greater numbers of fibroblast foci per square centimeter and increasing measured amounts of subpleural fibrosis favored a diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia. Recent data also suggest that centrilobular fibrosis can be found in usual interstitial pneumonia, although the presence of centrilobular fibrosis statistically favors an alternate diagnosis. Connective tissue disease is a major confounder because many patterns are very similar to fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis or usual interstitial pneumonia. Genetic abnormalities, such as the MUC5B minor allele overlap, in these conditions and at this point cannot be used for discrimination. Thus, the separation of fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and usual interstitial pneumonia remains a difficult problem. Accurate biopsy diagnosis of all of these diseases requires correlation with imaging and clinical findings, and is crucial for treatment.

scholarly journals Morphologic Aspects of Interstitial Pneumonia With Autoimmune Features

2018 ◽  
Vol 142 (9) ◽  
pp. 1080-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Caroline Toledo do Nascimento ◽  
Bruno Guedes Baldi ◽  
Marcio Valente Yamada Sawamura ◽  
Marisa Dolhnikoff
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Connective Tissue Disease ◽  
Usual Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Connective Tissue Diseases ◽  
Distinct Subgroup ◽  
Management Protocol ◽  
The Impact

Context.— Interstitial lung disease, a common complication observed in several connective tissue diseases, causes significant morbidity and mortality. Similar to individuals with connective tissue diseases, a significant subgroup of patients with clinical and serologic characteristics suggestive of autoimmunity but without confirmed specific connective tissue disease presents with associated interstitial lung disease. These patients have been classified using different controversial nomenclatures, such as undifferentiated connective tissue disease–associated interstitial lung disease, lung-dominant connective tissue disease, and autoimmune featured interstitial lung disease. The need for a better understanding and standardization of this entity, interstitial lung disease with autoimmune features, and the need for an adequate management protocol for patients resulted in the introduction of a new terminology in 2015: interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. This new classification requires a better comprehension of its diagnostic impact and the influence of its morphologic aspects on the prognosis of patients. Objective.— To review the diagnostic criteria for interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features, with an emphasis on morphologic aspects. Data Sources.— The review is based on the available literature, and on pathologic, radiologic, and clinical experience. Conclusions.— The interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features classification seems to identify a distinct subgroup of patients with different prognoses. Studies show that nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and usual interstitial pneumonia are the most prevalent morphologic patterns and show discrepant results on the impact of the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on survival. Prospective investigations are necessary to better define this subgroup and to determine the prognosis and appropriate clinical management of these patients.

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