Pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. The aim of this study was the identification of pulmonary manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and their assessment in relation to immunological alterations. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that analyzed 90 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Patients were examined by laboratory tests such as: anti-nuclear antibody, anti double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibody, anticardiolipin antibodies and D dimer. Pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography, computerized tomographic pulmonary angiography, pulmonary function tests and echocardiography doppler were performed for the patients. Results. Pleural effusion were 26 (28.9 %) patients. Interstitial lung disease were 9 (10 %) patients, acute lupus pneumonitis 2 (2.2 %) patients, pulmonary embolism 10 (11.1 %) patients and pulmonary arterial hypertension were 6 (6.7 %) patients. Restrictive ventilator insufficiency are 27 (30 %) patients. Conclusions. Pulmonary manifestations are common in systemic lupus erythematosus and have a wide spectrum. These injuries are anatomical and functional. Immunological alterations are important factors in pulmonary injuries.