A study has reported that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at a higher risk of developing lung diseases. SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout the body, affecting various organs and leading to multiple symptoms. Delayed diagnosis after onset can result in inflammation and damage to major organs such as the kidneys, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and lungs, making early diagnosis and treatment crucial.
Although lung disease is known to be common in SLE patients, the relative risk of lung disease in SLE patients compared to those without the condition had not been clearly defined. In response, a research team led by Professors Kim Bo-geun from the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Eun Young-hee from the Department of Rheumatology at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, used data from the National Health Insurance Service from 2009 to 2017. They tracked 6,074 newly diagnosed SLE patients and a control group of 60,740 individuals without any history of rheumatic disease, matched by age and gender, over an average of 9.3 years.
The results indicated that the risk of developing lung diseases in SLE patients is approximately 3.3 times higher than in the control group. Specifically, the incidence of pulmonary hypertension was 14.66 times higher, interstitial lung disease was 9.58 times higher, and pleural disorders were 3.29 times higher in SLE patients. Additionally, they were found to have increased risks for pulmonary embolism, tuberculosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hemorrhage, and lung cancer.
Professor Kim Bo-geun stated, “The risk of lung symptoms is significantly higher in SLE patients, indicating the need for proactive monitoring, screening tests, and prevention of lung disease as part of SLE patient care.” Professor Eun Young-hee added, “SLE patients can develop complications in various organs, making regular follow-up and appropriate treatment important, along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”
This research has been published in the latest issue of RMD Open, a UK journal specializing in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.