IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-6-19657 Original Research Paper THE PROFILE OF PULMONARY INVOLVEMENT IN COLLAGEN VASCULAR DISEASES : A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE Dr. June 2019 8 6 01 02 ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Collagen vascular diseases are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune disorders of unknown etiology. The pulmonary involvement in collagen vascular diseases varies according to the type of underlying disease. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and radiological profile of pulmonary involvement in collagen vascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross sectional study which included all cases of collagen vascular disease attending the Pulmonary Medicine OPD with respiratory symptoms during thestudy period. RESULTS: Dyspnoea is the predominant symptom in all types of collagen vascular diseases.(96.5%).The most common chest X ray finding is reticulonodular shadows (43.0%) . Interstitial(inter and intralobular)septal thickening is the commonest HRCT finding.(83.1 %). CONCLUSIONS: Thisstudy shows that the pattern of pulmonary involvement in each type of collagen vascular disease is different. It is important to understand the differences in clinical and radiological features of each disease which greatly influences the treatment decision.