SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS - THEVALUE OF HRCT

Ten Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and with persistent respiratory symptoms were evaluated with high resolution co mputed tomography (HRCT), chest radiographs and lung function tests, F ourteen of 15 HRCT scans performed were abnormal, The predominant dise ase pattern, seen in 60% of patients, was one of chronic interstitial lung disease with honeycombing, architectural distortion, parenchymal bands, pleural irregularity, and a lower zone predominance, Three of 1 0 patients had histological evidence of either lung fibrosis or inters titial pneumonitis, Airways disease and pleural thickening were seen i n 20% and 87% of scans, respectively, Pleural thickening and honeycomb ing were present in 53% and 20% of chest radiographs, respectively, Al l concurrent lung function tests were abnormal, Reduced diffusion capa city of carbon monoxide (DLCO/VA) was observed in 60% of lung function tests, There was no correlation between duration of disease and DLCO/ VA, However, pathological reduction of DLCO/VA was seen in 71% of pati ents with honeycombing, and 88% of patients with ground glass opacity, Our study has documented a high incidence of HRCT features of chronic lung destruction and a Ion er zone predominance in SLE patients with persistent respiratory symptoms.