MedPage Todayreports that pulmonary disease rates are high in lupus patients according to a new study conducted in Sweden. The study found that compared to the general population, patients with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) had a nearly 6-fold higher rate of non-infectious pulmonary disease.

David R. Fernandez, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, who wasn’t involved with the study, notes that the findings are similar to what they see clinically with SLE patients.

"Interstitial lung is a rare but serious manifestation of lupus, and it can arise at any point in the disease course. We also find that pulmonary manifestations of lupus are a source of substantial and potentially serious disease activity," he explains.

Read the full article at MedPageToday.com.