Parenchymal Lung Involvement in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Admitted to Isfahan's Noor and Al-Zahra Hospitals

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem autoimmune disorder with multiple organ involvements characterized by inflammation and fibrosis involving the skin as well as internal organs. Pulmonary involvement consists of interstitial fibrosis and pulmonary vascular disease has an important effect on the course and survival of these patients. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of parenchymal lung disease and related factors in patients with systemic sclerosis admitted to Isfahan's Noor and Al-Zahra hospitals.Patients and In a prospective, descriptive and analytic study, we studied all patients with systemic sclerosis, according to American: College of rheumatology, who were referred to rheumatologic clinics of Noor and Al-Zahra hospitals in Isfahan between 2002 and 2008. Information consisting of demographic data, severity of skin involvement, serologic tests, course, and results of work up for lung involvement was gathered and analyzed using quantitative tests for independent variables. Among 50 patients, most were females and in the age range 30-50. Mean duration for the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of lung involvement was 4.5 years and only half of the patients were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis. The severity of skin involvement was greater in patients with lung involvement (26 ±9 vs. 15± 7). Prevalence and severity of organ involvement in systemic sclerosis can be variable according to environmental and genetic factors.In this study, we did not find any relation between age of onset and parenchymal lung disease. The prevalence of parenchymal lung involvement was similar to other reports, suggesting the importance of this complication.