Lung involvement is a fairly common complication of systemic sclerosis. Although there may be no obvious symptoms, it is essential that lung disease is identified as early as possible, so that you can be monitored and offered treatment if necessary.
Up to half of people living with systemic sclerosis will have some form of lung involvement, meaning that their condition is affecting the lungs and how well they are able to function.
In many cases, lung involvement will be limited in its extent and remain stable, causing symptoms only on exertion and often requiring no specific treatment. In around 20% of cases, the disease will progress or worsen over time, which may result in significant scarring and will require treatment to help maintain quality of life. In any event, there will often be a much better outlook if the condition is diagnosed at an early stage.
There are two forms of lung disease that are common in scleroderma:
For some people, there will be no obvious symptoms at all. Shortness of breath, or breathlessness on exertion are common signs of lung involvement, and it is important to tell your doctor if you notice any changes.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurs when there is scarring within the lungs and is the most common form of lung involvement in systemic sclerosis. In ILD, the walls of the small air sacs (alveoli) that make up the lungs become thickened by a mixture of inflammation and fibrosis.
In normal lung function, the alveoli help to transfer oxygen from the air that we inhale into the bloodstream. They also remove carbon dioxide from the air that we breathe out. With interstitial lung disease, these processes can be affected, preventing the lungs from working as they should. Because of the presence of scarring, this condition is also called pulmonary fibrosis.
Breathlessness is the most common symptom of ILD, which may be more noticeable on exertion or when climbing stairs or walking uphill. You may also have a persistent cough and decreased tolerance to exercise. However, if lung involvement is quite limited, you may have no symptoms at all.
Testing is an essential part of the management of SSc, and this can detect signs of lung involvement at an early stage. For more information on how ILD is diagnosed, please click here.
There are several treatments available for ILD, and the best option will depend on your individual situation. For more information on current treatments, please click here.
SRUK are here to support you and we offer a number of ways to access information and resources, find support and connect with others who may be in a similar situation. Please give us a call on 020 3893 5998 and we will be very happy to help you.
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