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Management of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: Lessons from SLS and FAST

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Abstract

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a leading cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Two randomized controlled trials recently demonstrated the modest effects of cyclophosphamide on lung physiology (forced vital capacity) and extrapulmonary outcomes (dyspnea, function, quality of life, and skin thickening). Recommendations can now be made about the short-term management for SSc-ILD. However, many questions remain unanswered, including how long to treat with cyclophosphamide; whether patients should take maintenance therapy after the initial or induction phase; whether there are alternative therapies; how to treat patients with ILD and pulmonary hypertension; and how to treat patients with severe ILD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Philip J. Clements MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Nihal Fathi MD, PhD
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  2. Daniel E. Furst MD
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  3. Philip J. Clements MD, MPH
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Correspondence to Philip J. Clements MD, MPH.

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Fathi, N., Furst, D.E. & Clements, P.J. Management of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: Lessons from SLS and FAST. Curr Rheumatol Rep 9, 144–150 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-007-0009-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-007-0009-y

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