Pulmonary fibrosis and autoimmune manifestations. a diagnostic problem
González Ramallo, V.J.; Muiño Miguez, A.; Rodríguez de Castro, E.; Filgueira Rubio, J.S.
Anales de Medicina Interna 7(6): 309-311
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-7199 PMID: 2102736 Document Number: 362859
A case of 54-year-old male who, during the development of a pulmonary fibrosis, showed extrapulmonary autoimmune symptoms (polyarthritis and hemolytic anemia), is presented. The antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor positives have been described in up to 30% of the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, complicating the differential diagnosis with lung fibrosis caused by alterations of connective tissue. We discuss the prognosis and treatment of this difficult diagnosis.