Pulmonary involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Pulmonary disorders in systemic lupus erythematosus involve a variety of clinical presentations and pathologic patterns, which can be difficult to diagnose due to systemic dysfunction, infection, or complications of therapy. The causes of dyspnea in systemic lupus erythematosus are multifactorial, and the clinical manifestations of lung disease widely vary. Biopsy is frequently relied on to evaluate and diagnose pulmonary disease in systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient who has systemic lupus erythematosus-associated lung disease is effectively treated with various immunosuppressive drugs, in conjunction with careful evaluation of the patient's systemic involvement, drug-induced complications, and the ever-present threat of infection.