A Study of Pulmonary Manifestations in the Patients of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Tertiery Care Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder characterised by multisystem involvement. Pulmonary involvement is common in SLE. Pulmonary manifestations include pleuritis, pleural effusion, interstitial lung disease and shrinking lung syndrome. There are few such studies in India. Hereby, we studied pulmonary manifestations of SLE in a tertiary centre in South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS 50 patients diagnosed to have SLE with disease duration more than 5 years were included in the study. Detailed clinical history and examination was conducted. They were subjected to chest x-ray, high-resolution CT scan, pulmonary function test and sputum examination was done. These patients were screened for various respiratory symptoms. The radiological features and pulmonary function test features were analysed for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Pulmonary manifestations in patients of lupus nephritis was also studied.