Intrathoracic manifestations in mixed connective tissue disease

Mayo Clin Proc. 1985 Dec;60(12):813-21. doi: 10.1016/s0025-6196(12)64786-7.

Abstract

A high frequency of occurrence of pleuropulmonary manifestations in mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) has been reported in the literature. A retrospective analysis of 81 adult patients with the diagnosis of MCTD who were examined at our medical center from 1973 through 1977 revealed that pleuropulmonary involvement occurred in 20 (25%). Thirteen patients (16%) had dyspnea, six (7%) had chest pain, and four (5%) had cough. Chest roentgenograms disclosed basal interstitial processes in 15 patients (19%), pleural effusion in 5 (6%), pneumonic infiltrates in 3 (4%), and pleural thickening in 2 (2%). Abnormalities of pulmonary function were noted in 9 (69%) of 13 patients tested, and esophagographic abnormalities were present in 19 (53%) of 36 patients tested. Systemic corticosteroid therapy was beneficial in two of the eight patients so treated, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs resolved most of the clinical features in four of the seven patients so treated. Six patients died during a 5-year follow-up period.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / analysis
  • Esophagus / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / etiology*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / complications*
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / immunology
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / physiopathology
  • Myositis / complications
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex