Comprehensive Risk Assessment for Pulmonary Manifestations in SLE

This original research article presents a comprehensive risk assessment for pulmonary manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on a large-scale longitudinal study conducted on a Korean population. The study aimed to evaluate the risk of pulmonary manifestations in individuals diagnosed with SLE compared to matched controls without SLE. Utilizing data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, the research identified 6074 SLE patients and 60,740 matched controls over a mean follow-up period of 9.3 years. The findings indicate that the incidence of pulmonary manifestations was significantly higher in the SLE cohort, with a rate of 15.2 per 1000 person-years compared to 4.5 per 1000 person-years in the control group. The adjusted hazard ratios revealed a 3.3-fold increased risk of pulmonary manifestations in SLE patients, with particularly elevated risks for pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease. These results underscore the importance of monitoring pulmonary complications in SLE patients.