Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: Making Connections, Elevating Care

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This activity was developed for pulmonologists, radiologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, and primary care physicians, as well as other clinicians who care for patients with interstitial lung diseases.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
Renowned pulmonologist, Imre Noth, MD, and scleroderma expert rheumatologist, Elizabeth Volkmann, MD, MS, discuss the importance of screening patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to identify those at risk for interstitial lung disease (ILD) even before respiratory symptoms are reported. Risk factors, burden of disease, and comorbidities associated with SSc-ILD are presented. This rare multisystemic disease affects the lungs, heart, and kidneys, in addition to the skin and gastrointestinal tract. Careful monitoring and ongoing evaluation are required to minimize lung complications. The latest first-line treatments and combination strategies are reviewed, along with data of FDA-approved targeted therapies as the faculty provide insights to individualize treatment so as to improve patient outcomes. Faculty case presentations describe treatment strategies and address how best to optimize clinician-patient communication in this innovative education format.

CONTENT AREAS
• Epidemiology and burden of disease
• Screening
• Multisystemic disease
• Associated comorbidities
• Treatment options and therapeutic strategies
• Case studies: Clinician-patient communication and treatment plan

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
• Recognize the healthcare and economic burden associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the need to evaluate, monitor, and manage lung involvement in patients with SSc
• Identify patients with SSc to screen for ILD
• Select appropriate treatment for patients with SSc-ILD
• Identify the risk factors for SSc-ILD and its associated comorbidities, and recognize the need to manage comorbidities in patients with SSc-ILD
• Apply strategies for optimal clinician-patient communication and for education of patients with SSc-ILD