PULMONARY FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Twenty patients with proved systemic lupus erythematosus were studied and the results indicate that all had abnormal pulmonary function. These abnormalities included airway obstruction, pulmonary restriction, and pulmonary vascular obstruction. These types of respiratory abnormalities correlated well with the pathologic findings in 3 patients at autopsy, and with those cited in the literature. This study provides physiologic evidence that pulmonary abnormalities may be a major manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. It would seem worthwhile to obtain pulmonary function tests as part of the systematic evaluation of these patients to assess the extent of organ involvement and to provide an objective basis for therapy. Inasmuch as 16 of the 17 patients so studied had an abnormally decreased pulmonary diffusing capacity for CO monoxide, this test would appear to be a sensitive indicator of the presence of lung involvement.