Collagen-Vascular Disease Associated With Interstitial Lung Disease Medication

  • Author: Arshad Ali, MD; Chief Editor: Zab Mosenifar, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 12, 2012
 

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and prevent complications. Drugs used to manage collagen-vascular disease (CVD) associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) include corticosteroids and antineoplastic agents.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. They modify the body’s immune response to diverse stimuli.

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Prednisone

 

Prednisone is used as an immunosuppressant in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. It has anti-inflammatory properties and produces multiple glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects. Prednisone therapy is best prescribed in consultation with a pulmonary disease specialist.

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Immunosuppressants

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Azathioprine (Imuran)

 

Azathioprine is an imidazolyl derivative of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). Many of its biologic effects are similar to those of the parent compound. Both compounds are eliminated rapidly from blood and are oxidized or methylated in erythrocytes and liver. No azathioprine or 6-MP is detectable in the urine 8 hours after being taken.

Azathioprine antagonizes purine metabolism and inhibits synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins. The mechanism whereby it affects autoimmune diseases is unknown. It works primarily on T cells, suppressing hypersensitivities of the cell-mediated type and causing variable alterations in antibody production. Immunosuppressive, delayed hypersensitivity, and cellular cytotoxicity test results are suppressed to a greater degree than antibody responses. Azathioprine works very slowly; a 6- to 12-month trial may be required before effects are observed.

As many as 10% of patients may have idiosyncratic reactions that rule out the use of azathioprine. Do not allow the white blood cell (WBC) count to drop below 3000/µL or the lymphocyte count to drop below 1000/µL. The drug is available in tablet form for oral administration or in 100-mg vials for intravenous (IV) injection.

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Antineoplastic Agents

Class Summary

Antineoplastic agents inhibit cell growth and proliferation.

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Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

 

Cyclophosphamide is primarily used for treating several types of cancer and autoimmune disorders. It is related to the nitrogen mustard group, and its mode of action involves alkylation and cross-linking of DNA. Cyclophosphamide is used for several different types of rheumatic disease, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and sometimes rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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Methotrexate (Trexall, Rheumatrex)

 

Methotrexate is an antimetabolite used in the treatment of certain neoplastic diseases, severe psoriasis, and adult rheumatoid arthritis. It inhibits dihydrofolic acid reductase. Dihydrofolates must be reduced to tetrahydrofolates by this enzyme before they can be used as carriers of single-carbon groups in the synthesis of purine nucleotides and thymidylate. Methotrexate therefore interferes with DNA synthesis, repair, and cellular replication.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Arshad Ali, MD  Attending Physician, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mercy General Hospital, Sacramento, California

Arshad Ali, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Danilo A Enriquez, MD, FCCP  Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn; Associate Program Director of Internal Medicine Residency Program, Interfaith Medical Center

Danilo A Enriquez, MD, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Hina Arif, MD  Research Assistant, Interfaith Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Zab Mosenifar, MD  Director, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Director, Women's Guild Pulmonary Disease Institute, Professor and Executive Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Zab Mosenifar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Om Prakash Sharma, MD, FRCP, FCCP, DTM&H Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine

Om Prakash Sharma, MD, FRCP, FCCP, DTM&H is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Osler Society, American Thoracic Society, New York Academy of Medicine, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

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Pulmonary hypertension is complication of various collagen-vascular diseases. Lung biopsy specimen demonstrates severe interstitial fibrosis and medial fibrosis and smooth muscle hyperplasia of pulmonary arteriole, compatible with pulmonary hypertension.
Heliotrope rash in woman with dermatomyositis.
Gottron papules and nail-fold telangiectasia in patient with dermatomyositis.
Classic malar rash (butterfly rash) with distribution over cheeks and nasal bridge. Note that fixed erythema (sometimes associated with mild induration, as here) characteristically spares nasolabial folds.
High-resolution CT scan of advanced-stage pulmonary fibrosis demonstrating reticular opacities with honeycombing in predominantly subpleural distribution. This pattern can be present in rheumatoid arthritis–related interstitial lung disease, Sjögren syndrome, and scleroderma.
Ground-glass opacification (GGO) may correlate with active alveolitis and favorable response to therapy. GGO is among earliest features of rheumatoid arthritis–induced interstitial lung disease.
Patient with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia.
Usual interstitial pneumonitis. Subpleural and paraseptal inflammation are present, with appearance of temporal heterogeneity. Patchy scarring of lung parenchyma and normal (or nearly normal) alveoli interspersed between fibrotic areas are hallmarks of this disease. In addition, lung architecture is completely destroyed. This pattern can be present in rheumatoid arthritis–induced interstitial lung disease and generally is associated with poor prognosis.
Table 1. Important Physical Findings in Collagen-Vascular Diseases
CVD Skin and Musculoskeletal System Lungs Heart Salivary Glands Eyes
RA*Subcutaneous nodules, digital ulcers, nail-fold infarctsBibasilar Velcro crackles, signs of pulmonary hypertension, pleural effusionPericarditis, myocarditisN/AN/A
SLE*Malar rash, alopecia, livedo reticularis, erythema, telangiectasia, capillary infarcts, polyarthritisPleural effusion or rub, pneumonitis, cor pulmonale, diaphragmatic weaknessPericarditis, myocarditis, CADN/AN/A
SDThickening of skin of face, fingers, and hands; Raynaud phenomenon and ischemic changes of fingertipsCor pulmonale, inspiratory Velcro crackles at lung basesRestrictive pericardial disease, conduction defects, CHFN/AN/A
SS*Secondary SS can manifest similarly to RA and SLESecondary SS can manifest similarly to RA and SLEN/AXerostomia, parotid gland swellingKeratoconjunctivitis sicca
PMProximal muscle weaknessRespiratory muscle failureN/AN/AN/A
DMHeliotrope rash of eyelids, Gottron papules,Respiratory muscle failureN/AN/AN/A
ASSacroiliitisRestriction in chest expansion, pulmonary apical fibrosisAortic insufficiencyN/AAnterior uveitis
* MCTD can manifest with the signs and symptoms of RA, SLE, or SS.



AS = ankylosing spondylitis; CAD = coronary artery disease; CHF = congestive heart failure; CVD = collagen-vascular disease; DM = dermatomyositis; PM = polymyositis; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; SD = scleroderma; SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus; SS = Sjögren syndrome.



Table 2. Autoantibodies in Collagen-Vascular Diseases
Autoantibody RA SLE SD SS PM/DM AS MCTD
RF++++Rare-+
ANA++++Rare-+



(speckled)



ds-DNA-+-----
Anticentromere--+ (limited)RareRare--
Scl-70--+ (diffuse)Rare--
Anti-Jo---Rare+ (ILD)--
ANCARareRare-----
Smith antibody-+-----
Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB---+---
Anti-U1-RNP and anti-UN-70 kd------+
ANA = antinuclear antibody; ANCA = antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody; AS = ankylosing spondylitis; DM = dermatomyositis; ds-DNA = double-stranded DNA antibody; ILD = interstitial lung disease; MCTD = mixed connective-tissue disease; PM = polymyositis; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; RF = rheumatoid factor; RNP = ribonucleoprotein; SD = scleroderma; SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus; SS = Sjögren syndrome.
Table 3. Radiographic Patterns of Collagen-Vascular Diseases
Radiologic Pattern RA SLE SD Secondary SS PM/DM AS MCTD
Pleural effusion+++±--+
Interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosisUIP and NSIP patterns+LIP pattern±+Upper apical fibrosis[37] +
BOOP±++++±±
Pulmonary nodulesRheumatoid pulmonary nodules; uncommon, may be 1-5 mm, single or multiple, may cavitate--Follicular lymphoid hyperplasia or lymphoma can present as lung nodules+--
Bronchiectasis+++++++
Caplan syndromeCoal worker’s pneumoconiosis, rheumatoid nodules-----±
Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage-+----±
Shrinking lung syndrome-Loss of lung volume at bases with no parenchymal pathology----±
Diaphragmatic dysfunction-+-May be present+-±
Cysts, honeycombing10% of patients have subpleural honeycombing; compared with IPF, it is more anterior and involves upper lobesUncommon+Present, especially in LIP+Upper-lobe cyst may become infected with Aspergillus species-
GGOPresent, especially in NSIP++++-±
AS = ankylosing spondylitis; BOOP = bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia; DM = dermatomyositis; GGO = ground-glass opacification; IPF = idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; LIP = lymphoid interstitial pneumonia; MCTD = mixed connective-tissue disease; NSIP = nonspecific interstitial pneumonia; PM = polymyositis; RA = rheumatoid arthritis; SD = scleroderma; SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus; SS = Sjögren syndrome; UIP = usual interstitial pneumonia.
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