Uncovering the Clues: A Case-Based Journey Through ILD in Rheumatic Disease

Rheum-Pulm ILD Preceptorship: Case Based Insights With Academic Experts Bootcamp

Uncovering the Clues: A Case-Based Journey Through ILD in Rheumatic Disease

This webcast offers a case-based exploration of identifying and managing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. Through real-world patient scenarios, clinicians Lori Reed, NP and Audrey Gibson, PA-C highlight key risk factors such as high serologic titers, age, and progressive respiratory symptoms, along with important clinical findings like inspiratory crackles and exertional desaturation. The discussion emphasizes early detection using pulmonary function tests and high-resolution CT imaging, recognition of fibrotic patterns like UIP, and timely initiation of immunomodulatory and antifibrotic therapies. The session also underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, proactive monitoring, and comprehensive patient care to help slow disease progression and improve outcomes.

Uncovering the Clues: A Case-Based Journey Through ILD in Rheumatic Disease

This webcast features a case-based discussion on recognizing and managing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. Through practical clinical scenarios, Iris Zink, MSN, ANP-BC, APRN and Heather Bachert, MSN, ANP-BC highlight key risk factors such as high serologic markers, age, and progressive respiratory symptoms, along with important findings like inspiratory crackles and exertional desaturation. The session emphasizes early detection using pulmonary function tests and high-resolution CT imaging, identification of fibrotic patterns like UIP, and timely initiation of immunomodulatory and antifibrotic therapies. The importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, early referral for transplant evaluation, and supportive interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation is reinforced to help preserve lung function and improve patient outcomes.

Uncovering the Clues: A Case-Based Journey Through ILD in Rheumatic Disease

This webcast provides a case-based overview of identifying and managing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. Through practical clinical scenarios, experts Michele Cerra, MSN, FNP-BC and Christine Anderson, NP-C highlight key warning signs such as progressive shortness of breath, fatigue, and exertional desaturation, along with high-risk features like seropositivity and diffuse disease. The discussion emphasizes early diagnosis using pulmonary function tests and high-resolution CT imaging, recognition of fibrotic patterns like UIP, and timely initiation of immunomodulatory and antifibrotic therapies. The session also underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, proactive monitoring, and comprehensive supportive care to improve patient outcomes.

Understanding the Landscape of ILD: Burden, Pathophysiology, and Classification

In this presentation, pulmonary nurse practitioner Corinne Young and rheumatology physician assistant Wendy Simmons explore the complex relationship between interstitial lung disease (ILD) and connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Together, they provide a multidisciplinary perspective—highlighting how collaboration between pulmonology, rheumatology, and radiology leads to earlier diagnosis, better management, and improved outcomes. The session covers ILD classifications, common causes such as autoimmune disorders, environmental exposures, and drug toxicities, as well as diagnostic tools including high-resolution CT imaging, pulmonary function testing, and serologic assays. The speakers also discuss the importance of recognizing progressive phenotypes, understanding imaging patterns like UIP and NSIP, and tailoring therapy based on disease behavior. This session emphasizes that in ILD, time is lung—early recognition and coordinated care are essential to preserving function and extending quality of life.

IPF & PPF: Natural History, Diagnosis, and Management

In this educational session, Corinne Young breaks down the underlying mechanisms, progression, and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). The discussion covers common genetic and environmental risk factors—including family history, smoking, and occupational exposures—and explains how chronic inflammation leads to fibrosis and loss of lung elasticity. Listeners gain a clear understanding of how progressive pulmonary fibrosis is identified through lung function tests (FVC, DLCO) and imaging changes over time. The presentation also addresses treatment strategies, highlighting when corticosteroids may be appropriate, why long-term steroid use is limited, and how newer antifibrotic and immunomodulatory therapies are improving outcomes for patients with fibrotic lung disease.

Systemic Sclerosis Presentation

In this powerful and personal clinical reflection, Amanda Mixon, PA-C, shares her journey treating patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma), including key lessons learned from working at a major Scleroderma center at Northwestern. From building trust with colleagues to managing life-threatening complications like Scleroderma Renal Crisis, this video offers invaluable insights for APPs and clinicians navigating this complex autoimmune disease. You’ll hear firsthand experiences treating patients with severe skin involvement, pulmonary fibrosis, digital ulcers, GI complications, and early vasculopathy. Learn why RNA polymerase III positivity is a red flag, how to differentiate diffuse from limited SSc, and why early diagnosis and treatment are essential. What you’ll learn: – What distinguishes diffuse Scleroderma from limited forms – Clinical signs to recognize early: Raynaud’s, skin tightening, telangiectasia – The dangers of steroid use and Scleroderma Renal Crisis – Why collaboration and early referral to SSc centers can save lives – Real stories and clinical pearls from treating high-risk patients This is a must-watch for any clinician managing autoimmune diseases—especially those treating interstitial lung disease, GI complications, or vasculitis related to Scleroderma.

Antifibrotic Therapy

In this session, Corinne Young reviews the evolution of antifibrotic therapies for interstitial lung disease, beginning with the 2015 U.S. approval of pirfenidone (Esbriet) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Pirfenidone works by targeting TGF-β and TNF-α to slow fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, though patients often experience gastrointestinal side effects and fatigue. The discussion also covers nintedanib (Ofev), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks multiple growth factor pathways (VEGF, FGF, PDGF) and is now approved for both IPF and other progressive fibrotic lung diseases. Clinical trials such as CAPACITY, ASCEND, INPULSIS, and INBUILD demonstrated that these antifibrotics significantly slow the rate of lung function decline and disease progression. The talk concludes by emphasizing careful side-effect management, liver monitoring, and appropriate patient selection to optimize outcomes with these cornerstone antifibrotic therapies.

Uncovering the Clues: A Case-Based Journey Through ILD in Rheumatic Disease

This webcast presents a case-based discussion on recognizing and managing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. Through real-world patient cases, Janine Shinn, PA-C and Jasmine McElhany, PA highlight key risk factors such as age, seropositivity, and progressive respiratory symptoms, along with important findings like inspiratory crackles and exertional desaturation. The session emphasizes early screening with pulmonary function tests and high-resolution CT imaging, identification of high-risk patterns like UIP, and timely initiation of immunomodulatory and antifibrotic therapies. The importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, proactive monitoring, and early referral for advanced care is reinforced to help improve patient outcomes.

Emerging Therapies in ILD

In this presentation, Corinne Young reviews the latest advances in therapies for interstitial lung disease (ILD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), highlighting the promising results of nerandomilast, a phosphodiesterase-4B inhibitor with both antifibrotic and immunomodulatory effects. Phase 3 trials (FIBRONEER-IPF and FIBRONEER-ILD) demonstrated that twice-daily nerandomilast slowed lung function decline and improved outcomes across patient populations, including those with autoimmune-related disease. The discussion also covers the drug’s safety profile—showing fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to existing antifibrotic agents—and emerging treatments such as inhaled treprostinil, which is being studied for pulmonary fibrosis beyond pulmonary hypertension. With multiple new agents and combination therapies on the horizon, these developments represent meaningful progress in the treatment and management of fibrotic lung disease.