Abstract
Background: Statin-induced lung diseases(SILD) are a rare, but serious complication.
Aim: To investigate clinical presentation, HRCT and pathological features of SILD.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with interstitial lung diseases(ILD), admitted to hospital from 2010-2015.
Results: Among 261 patients with ILD, we identified 9 patients (4 males, 5 females, age 63±8) with SILD. Atorvastatin was causative agent in 7 and simvastatin in 2 patients. One patient, after recovering from simvastatin-induced disease, had positive rechallenge after administration of rosuvastatin. Median latency from the beginning of statin-medication until onset of symptoms was 61 months. Clinical work-up revealed hypersensitive pneumonitis pattern(4), non-specific interstitial pneumonia(1), diffuse alveolar damage(1), organizing pneumonia(1), lupus-like syndrome(1), and alveolar hemorrhage due to pANCA vasculitis(1). Phospholipidosis was found in all cases. One patient died, 2 patients developed severe pulmonary fibrosis, while others had favourable outcome after long-term corticosteroid therapy.
Conclusion: SILD may mimic various lung diseases, leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate approach. Statins are widely prescribed drugs and physicians should be aware of possible side-effects.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
