scholarly journals Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: A rare adverse reaction of atorvastatin

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Jack Xu ◽  
Steven Verga ◽  
Jonathan Stoll ◽  
Lauren Pioppo ◽  
Eileen Shanahan ◽  
...  

Introduction: Statins have been shown to effectively prevent both cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by inhibiting the hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase enzyme. Pulmonary complications are very rare, and can include pneumonitis, pleural effusion, and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). There have been very few previously documented cases of statin-induced fibrotic NSIP.Case report: We present a female with a history of hyperlipidemia on atorvastatin who presented with shortness of breath. Computed tomography scan of the chest revealed interstitial infiltrates with bilateral ground-glass opacities. She underwent a surgical lung biopsy which showed uniform fibrous alveolar septal thickening, scattered collections of alveolar macrophages and inflammation, along with areas of fibrosis. The findings were most suggestive of fibrotic NSIP. Atorvastatin was stopped and she was started on mycophenolic acid with improvement of her symptoms.Discussion: Although rare, the clinician should be aware of possible pulmonary complications of statin therapy. The exact mechanism of injury is unclear, however immunological or toxicological mechanisms are implicated. One case series of statin induced interstitial lung disease showed some improvement of dyspnea with systemic glucocorticoids and termination of statin therapy. Statins, specifically pravastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin have been associated with drug induced pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease.

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Jun Wong ◽  
Si Yuan Chew ◽  
John Chen Hsiang ◽  
Prem Harichander Thurairajah ◽  
Rahul Kumar ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 66 (suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
Ruza Stevic ◽  
Vucinic Mihailovic ◽  
Dragana Jovanovic ◽  
Nada Vasic

Introduction. Interstitial lung diseases include the entities of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, acute interstitial pneumonia, respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. Recent introduction of high-resolution computed tomography has made the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease much easier. Usual interstitial pneumonia A predominantly subpleural reticulation and honeycombing at the basal posterior part of the lung with a progression to anterior and superior parts are characteristic of usual interstitial pneumonia/ idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia Typical findings of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia are bilateral, relatively symmetrical subpleural ground glass opacifications and irregular linear opacities. Desquamative interstitial pneumonia is characterized by diffuse symmetrical ground glass opacifications. Respiratory bronchiolitisassociated interstitial lung disease Centrilobular nodules and irregular ground glass opacifications are present. Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia Subpleural and peribronchial consolidations are prominent findings that are not present in other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Acute interstitial pneumonia. Bilateral ground-glass opacifications are present and areas of peripheral consolidations may also be seen in acute interstitial pneumonia. Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. Diffuse or patchy areas of ground glass opacification with centrilobular nodules and occasionally well-defined cysts are seen. Conclusion. Imaging plays a crucial role in identifying interstitial lung diseases but precise diagnosis requires a dynamic interdisciplinary approach that correlates clinical, radiological and pathologic features.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivano Salimbene ◽  
Ilaria Leli ◽  
Salvatore Valente

Since its original description in 1956 the association between interstitial lung disease and polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) has become well established. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can be a significant complication in rheumatic diseases (RDs). Although most patients with RD do not develop clinically evident ILD, these systemic autoimmune disorders are estimated to be responsible for approximately 25% of all ILD deaths and 2% of deaths due to all respiratory causes. Radiologic abnormalities in DM are characterized by a high incidence of airspace consolidation. Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP) is the most common form of lung disease, with a frequency in biopsies 4-fold greater than that of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) in PM and a slightly smaller predominance in DM. We report a case of a female patient, 57 years old, no former smoker, whose clinical history was onset in November 2008 with asthenia with muscle and osteoarticular pain especially located in the upper limbs and then also expanded to the lower limbs. The EMG was compatible with dermatomyositis in the acute phase. The patient received therapy with steroids and tacrolimus, also making several rounds of treatment with immunoglobulin. Given the recurrence of myositis in association with signs of poorly controlled interstitial lung disease, immunosuppressive therapy with Rituximab was administered. The Computed Tomography (CT) scans showed "bronchiectasis and traction bronchiolectasis, hypodense areas consistent with the phenomena of air trapping. The pattern of interstitial lung disease with fibrotic evolution seems consistent with NSIP. The arterial blood gas analysis showed a pattern of hypoxic-hypercapnic respiratory failure (pH: 7,34, PaO2: 67 mmHg; PaCO2: 55 mmHg). As a result of an episode of marked desaturation unresponsive to supplemental oxygen at high flows we proceeded to noninvasive mechanical ventilation with Helmet for 24 hours/24. This ventilatory support was maintained for a week, with resolution of the respiratory failure. In this brief case report we want to highlight various pulmonary complications as a result of dermatomyositis. The progression of respiratory complications may also lead to a situation of respiratory failure, as in our patient, and require a noninvasive ventilatory treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (02) ◽  
pp. 255-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Barba ◽  
Sabine Mainbourg ◽  
Mouhamad Nasser ◽  
Jean-Christophe Lega ◽  
Vincent Cottin

AbstractLung involvement is the leading cause of mortality in inflammatory myopathy. A careful assessment of clinical and serologic manifestations especially myositis-associated autoantibodies allows precise classification of the different phenotypes of inflammatory myopathy and stratification of the risk of lung involvement. About three out of four patients with inflammatory myopathy develop interstitial lung disease (ILD), which represents the main cause of morbidity and mortality. In patients with a confirmed diagnosis of inflammatory myopathy, the approach to the diagnosis of ILD includes assessment of clinical and functional severity, evaluation of the high-resolution computed tomography pattern of disease, which often suggests nonspecific interstitial pneumonia or organizing pneumonia. Bronchoalveolar lavage to rule out infection is often performed; however, video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy is now generally discouraged, unless malignancy is suspected. The so-called antisynthetase syndrome characterized by the combination of mechanics' hands, Raynaud' phenomenon, myositis often mild or absent, and presence of one of the anti-tRNA synthetase antibodies is associated with a 70% risk of ILD, especially in subjects with antibodies other than anti-Jo1 antibodies (i.e., anti-PL7 or -PL12 antibodies). Treatment depends on both severity and progression of ILD, often including a combination of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy. Rituximab-based regimen has showed promising results in retrospective studies for the management of refractory or rapidly progressive forms of ILD. Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the actual efficacy of this strategy on mortality related to lung disease. Secondary pulmonary complications of inflammatory myopathy include opportunistic infections, aspiration pneumonia, pneumomediastinum, ventilatory failure due to diaphragmatic muscular weakness, drug-induced pneumonitis, and rarely pulmonary hypertension.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Cavagna ◽  
Sara Monti ◽  
Vittorio Grosso ◽  
Nicola Boffini ◽  
Eva Scorletti ◽  
...  

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a relevant extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may occur either in early stages or as a complication of long-standing disease. RA related ILD (RA-ILD) significantly influences thequoad vitamprognosis of these patients. Several histopathological patterns of RA-ILD have been described: usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is the most frequent one, followed by nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP); other patterns are less commonly observed. Several factors have been associated with an increased risk of developing RA-ILD. The genetic background plays a fundamental but not sufficient role; smoking is an independent predictor of ILD, and a correlation with the presence of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies has also been reported. Moreover, bothexnovooccurrence and progression of ILD have been related to drug therapies that are commonly prescribed in RA, such as methotrexate, leflunomide, anti-TNF alpha agents, and rituximab. A greater understanding of the disease process is necessary in order to improve the therapeutic approach to ILD and RA itself and to reduce the burden of this severe extra-articular manifestation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 239719832110233
Author(s):  
Bhavya Chintala ◽  
Lalit Duggal ◽  
Neeraj Jain

Ascending aorta aneurysm in scleroderma can be ascribed to its macrovascular involvement which is very less elucidated. We here describe a 56-year-old female with rapidly progressive diffuse cutaneous scleroderma. She presented with skin thickening involving all four limbs, thorax and abdomen. She had other features like arthritis, Raynaud’s phenomena, dyspnoea, heaviness of chest, and dysphagia. On investigation, she was strongly positive for antinuclear antibody and Scl 70. Imaging revealed interstitial lung disease (nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern) and a fusiform dilatation of ascending aorta of 6.5 cm. Patient was offered surgical correction for aneurysm, for which she refused. To the best of our knowledge, our case report adds up to the few cases of ascending aorta aneurysm in scleroderma available in world literature.


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