The recent American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society consensus
classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is equally applicable
to pulmonary fibrosis associated with connective tissue disease. The most f
requent histopathologic entities are usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and
nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), which is more prevalent than UI
P in systemic sclerosis. The prognostic significance of NSIP is unknown in
connective tissue disease, although NSIP has a better prognosis than UP in
idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. The use of computed tomography to distin
guish between UIP and NSIP requires further refinement. Recent therapeutic
studies have reinforced disenchantment amongst clinicians with corticostero
id and immunosuppressive regimens in UIP. UP is increasingly regarded an "e
pithelial-fibrotic" disease rather than a primarily inflammatory disorder,
accounting for recent widespread interest in antifibrotic agents. This conc
lusion should not be extrapolated to NSIP, especially in connective tissue
disease. Strong circumstantial evidence of a therapeutic benefit justifies
the continued use of cyclophosphamide in progressive lung fibrosis in syste
mic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2001, 13:500-504 (C) 2001 Lippincott Wil
liams & Wilkins, Inc.