In this book is found the information essential to diagnosing, managing and treating the lung complications of connective tissue diseases. This is a notoriously difficult area, which continues to puzzle clinicians, despite the fact that these disorders are increasingly frequent (as a result of longer survival in connective tissue disease). In separate chapters, the major connective tissue diseases are reviewed, with detailed discussion of a variety of lung abnormalities, including pleural disease, parenchymal lung disease and pulmonary vascular disease. There are also invaluable overviews of lung histological and CT appearances in these disorders, and a deeply insightful chapter on drug-induced lung disease in connective tissue disease. The emphasis in this book is on accuracy of evaluation and the construction of a logical management plan, based on disease severity and intrinsic progressiveness.

The Lung in Autoimmune Diseases, Volume Seventeen identifies and describes the role of the lung in the most common systemic autoimmune diseases. From disease patterns, prognosis and risks to treatment, this book provides a comprehensive approach for the role of the lung in autoimmune diseases and the influence of autoimmune disease on the lung's functionality. In recent years, there is increasing knowledge in the field, including lung infection in early disease stages, mechanisms involved in lung damage, and new treatments. Recognition of lung involvement and implementation of some specific therapies is an important issue for clinicians dealing with systemic autoimmune diseases. - Provides a comprehensive review of the different patterns of pulmonary involvement in systemic autoimmune diseases - Describes new, targeted therapies for the treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases, including anti-fibrotics, biologics and vasodilators - Gives insights on the prognosis of patients suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases - Depicts better definitions of types of lung involvement in patients with an underlying systemic autoimmune disease

The Heart in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition, provides an overview on our current understanding of major complications relating to the heart and autoimmune diseases. It includes the latest information on the new pathogenetic mechanisms involved, along with clinical manifestations of these important comortbidities. Mortality in autoimmune diseases, in particular, rheumatoid arthritis and SLE, has increased when compared with the general population. This excess mortality is largely due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)-particularly those of atherosclerotic origin, such as ischemic heart disease-and is gaining recognition in all branches of medicine, from cardiology, to internal medicine, and from rheumatologists to orthopedics. - Presents an impressive body of well ordered information on the topic of cardiovascular diseases and their relationship to autoimmune illness - Highlights key references - Summarizes the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physician-scientists who are actively involved in the field of cardiovascular disease and systemic autoimmunity

Infections in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases: Risk Factors and Management, Volume Sixteen describes the state-of-the-art of the risk factors and management treating the most common systemic autoimmune diseases (SADS). This updated volume consists of an introductory chapter that provides a brief overview of what different types of infectious diseases exist, followed by eight chapters detailing risk factors, guidelines and recommendations per different disease and bacterial infections. International in scope, the list of more than 20 contributors from Europa and America reads like a who's who of clinical researchers in the field. Written by leading international clinical/surgical and scientific experts on Infection problems in systemic autoimmune diseases Provides a practical guide to the safer treatment of infections in patients with autoimmune diseases Includes a number of problems and recommendation that cannot be found in other books Designed as a 'guide to clinical practice' for management and risk interventions required by patients with SAD's

Pediatrics in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition, provides a good starting point for physicians and scientists new to the field and for anyone looking for the most up-to-date summary of a particular disease. While many questions are answered, many more are raised for which we do not yet have the answers. The book provides inspiration to readers conducting their own research and helps to answer their questions. The care of children with systemic autoimmune diseases is moving forward at a rapid pace. The systemic autoimmune diseases of childhood have always represented a special problem for the physicians and scientists who care for the affected children and study their diseases. Some conditions, such as Kawasaki disease, are virtually unique to childhood, while systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, and juvenile onset spondyloarthropathies may be thought of as the early onset of the same disease which is seen in adults. The autoinflammatory disorders appear to be of clear genetic origin, accounting for their frequent discovery in childhood. For many other conditions, such as juvenile dermatomyositis, the relationship between the conditions seen in children and that seen in adults is less certain. This book explores these phenomena, giving users a foundation on which to understand certain diseases. - Includes completely updated chapters and five new chapters - Explains the differences in systemic autoimmune diseases seen in children vs. those seen in adults - Covers the latest advances in pathogenesis and clinical management of common conditions seen in pediatric rheumatology practices, benefiting both pediatric and adult rheumatologists, as well as physicians from other specialties - Brings the reader up-to-date and allows easy access to individual topics in one place - Provides the latest information available in a format that would give the clinician both a clear understanding of what has been done in the past and a scientific basis for deciding what to do for the next afflicted child in their care

Antiphospholipid Syndrome in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Second Edition provides an overview of our current understanding of this major disease. It includes the latest information on the new pathogenetic mechanisms involved, along with clinical manifestations in both the thrombotic and non-thrombotic manifestations of this important disease. Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes abnormal blood clots. It is now recognized as a major cause of common conditions, including stroke, heart attack, miscarriage, epilepsy, and memory loss, and as such is gaining recognition in all branches of medicine, from obstetrics to cardiology, and from psychiatry to orthopedics. - Brings the reader up-to-date and allows easy access to individual topics in one place - Written by a respected panel of distinguished physicians/scientists actively involved in the field of Antiphospholipid Syndrome - Includes box summaries at the end of each chapter that highlight important topics - Gives up-to-date, basic knowledge and a modern approach to diagnosis and therapy - Provides a comprehensive review of this major disease - Includes information on treatment options available

This volume brings together an international group of clinicians and clinical scientists to contribute to a state-of the-art review of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, methods of clinical assessment, classification and diagnosis of renal disease, combined with a detailed overview of treatment strategies. An essential reference source for all those involved with the care of patients with renal involvement in systemic autoimmune disease, and for those contributing to research into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in these disorders.

This book represents the state-of-the-art in the field of skin and autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It covers systematically a growing and multifaceted topic which is of great importance in the clinical practice. It also serves as a sharp educational tool as each chapter provides summaries and specific highlights to key references cited into the text. The pathophysiological link between skin involvement and autoimmunity has been explained in detail, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.This book yields an impressive body of well ordered information which summarizes the experience of a selected panel of distinguished physicians and scientists actively involved in the field of skin immunology and systemic autoimmunity.* Written by a respected panel of distinguished physician-scientists actively involved in the field of skin immunology and systemic autoimmunity* Box summaries at the end of each chapter highlight important topics * Up-to-date basic knowledge as well as modern approach to diagnosis and therapy

This volume of the Handbook of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases series represents a medical collaboration focusing primarily on female aspects of rheumatic diseases. This collaboration recognizes the need to understand and optimally manage the care of women with autoimmune conditions that may affect their reproduction and hormonal status. This handbook will prove useful to clinicians and researchers alike. It covers practical points, ranging from which anti-rheumatic medications are safe in pregnancy to how to counsel women with scleroderma contemplating pregnancy. * Authors share an academic interest in the unique relationship between being a woman and having an autoimmune disease * Touches on controversial topics, such as the mechanism of antiphospholipid-related fetal loss and whether or not non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents should be used in pregnancy * Includes critical and balanced reviews of the controversial association between autoimmune disease and female infertility

Diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) represents a large and heterogeneous group of disorders. Although new insights into the pathogenesis and new techniques such as high-resolution-CT have led to a better understanding of DPLD, clinical management remains a challenge. This volume is designed to become a valuable aid in the diagnosis and management of DPLD. It starts with general topics such as a new classification system for DPLD, the general diagnostic approach, and clinical evaluation of the patient by radiology, histological patterns and bronchoalveolar lavage. This is followed by consideration of some basic aspects such as the genetics of DPLD, the principles of granuloma formation, pulmonary fibrogenesis and vasculitis, as well as novel treatment approaches. A large part of the book consists of disease-specific chapters, which discuss granulomatous disorders, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other entities of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, the collagen vascular diseases, drug-induced infiltrative lung disease as well as orphan diffuse lung diseases including Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Special chapters on DPLD in children and lung transplantation for end-stage fibrosis complete this comprehensive publication. Written by internationally known experts, this well-organized volume is recommended to a wide audience including respiratory physicians in training, practice and research as well as radiologists and pulmonary pathologists.