Lung disease related to connective tissue diseases

Abstract Connective tissue disease (CTD) is a heterogeneous group of chronic inflammatory diseases of unknown origin, characterizing by autoimmune pathogenesis and involving in the pathological process many organs and systems. Among the target organs for CTD, the lungs occupy one of the leading places in the frequency of damage (20%–95% of cases). So frequent respiratory involvement in the spectrum of CTD pathology is due to presence of mucous and serous membranes, connective tissue matrix and vessels which are most often affected by autoimmune mechanisms. The most common variants of lung disorders associated with CTD are interstitial lung disease, airway disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, pleural effusion, alveolar hemorrhage and respiratory complications of immunosuppressive therapy. This chapter discusses in detail the most characteristics of pulmonary manifestations of such CTD as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, autoimmune myopaties, Sjogren syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus.