Serial pulmonary function in systemic sclerosis

摘要: The natural history of the pulmonary involvement in systemic sclerosis is not well studied. Reported here are serial measurements function a defined population patients with followed over mean 63 months. rate loss vital capacity (0.10 liters per year) for 38 serially studied was more than three times expected normal population. diffusing (0.33 ml/min/mm Hg 27 similar to that percent forced expired first second increased 0.53 year consistent progressive restrictive ventilatory defect. Smokers tended lose at slightly greater nonsmokers (p = 0.069). Individual variability course observed. Although overall trend our towards slowly defect, did change rates different from those nonsmoking reference