STATE OF THE ART | MULTIMORBIDITY AND THE LUNG Connective tissue diseases, multimorbidity and the ageing lung Paolo Spagnolo1, Jean-François Cordier2,3 and Vincent Cottin2,3,4 Number 8 in the series “Multimorbidity and the lung” Edited by L.M. Fabbri and J.M. Drazen Affiliations: 1Medical University Clinic, Canton Hospital Baselland, and University of Basel, Liestal, Switzerland. 2Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Louis Pradel, National Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Lyon, France. 3Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, University of Lyon, Lyon, France. 4INRA, UMR754, Lyon, France. Correspondence: Vincent Cottin, Hôpital Louis Pradel, F-69677 Lyon Cedex, France. E-mail:
[email protected] ABSTRACT Connective tissue diseases encompass a wide range of heterogeneous disorders characterised by immune-mediated chronic inflammation often leading to tissue damage, collagen deposition and possible loss of function of the target organ. Lung involvement is a common complication of connective tissue diseases. Depending on the underlying disease, various thoracic compartments can be involved but interstitial lung disease is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension or both are found most commonly in systemic sclerosis. In the elderly, the prevalence of connective tissue diseases continues to rise due to both longer life expectancy and more effective and better-tolerated treatments. In the geriatric population, connective tissue diseases are almost invariably accompanied by age-related comorbidities, and disease- and treatment-related complications, which contribute to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions, and complicate treatment decision-making. Connective tissue diseases in the elderly represent a growing concern for healthcare providers and an increasing burden of global health resources worldwide.