ABSTRACT
Lung involvement is the most frequent cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). As lung involvement is frequently asymptomatic, the current recommendation is to carry out thoracic computed tomography (CT) in all patients newly diagnosed with SSc. There is currently disagreement on how patients with SSc for whom no lung involvement was found at the time of diagnosis, should be followed up. Based on a consensus of Austrian rheumatologists, pneumologists and radiologists it is recommended that for asymptomatic patients with a negative CT at the time of initial diagnosis, a transthoracic ultrasound examination should be carried out annually and a lung function examination every 6-12 months. In the presence of a positive lung ultrasound finding a supplementary CT for further clarification is recommended. Based on the data situation, annual CT follow-up controls are recommended for patients with a high risk as defined by appropriate risk factors.
Subject(s)
Scleroderma, Systemic , Humans , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Risk Factors , Scleroderma, Systemic/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently a challenge worldwide. In Austria, a crisis within the health care system has so far been avoided. The treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), including SARS-CoV2 infections, should continue to be based on evidence-based CAP guidelines during the pandemic. However, COVID-19-specific adjustments are useful. The treatment of patients with chronic lung diseases must be adapted during the pandemic, but must still be guaranteed.