Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic tissue disorder characterized by immune dysfunction, microvascular injury, and fibrosis. Many organs involved in patients with SSc; especially, pulmonary involvement occurs in up to 90% of patients with SSc. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a major complication in SSc and causing high mortality rate. The SSc-ILD therapy is basically consistent with the progress of scleroderma pathophysiology. We reported a case of 59-years-old female patient with a blackened ulcer on her left hand ring finger with disappearing of her distal finger segment, and also a chronic white phlegm cough followed by dyspnea in exertion. Clinical examination and evaluation showed that she had a scleroderm, accompanied with ILD. Her complaint did not improve, so she got an immunosuppresant and supportive therapy to control her worsening disease. Keywords: systemic sclerosis, interstitial lung disease