Medical Crossfire®: Systemic Sclerosis-Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD): Optimizing the Diagnosis and Management Through Multidisciplinary, Patient-Centered Care

Release Date: December 31, 2018
Expiration Date: December 31, 2019
Media: Internet - based

Activity Overview

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent and debilitating complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) with a complex pathophysiology. Approximately 50,000 people in the United States are affected by SSc, and up to 90% of those diagnosed will develop some degree of ILD. SSc-ILD is a pulmonary fibrosing disorder characterized by systemic inflammation, progressive scarring of the lungs, and eventual respiratory failure. The presence of ILD in SSc is an important determinant of both disease severity and prognosis. Patients diagnosed with SSc need regular screening for ILD because early detection of progressive lung involvement is critical to achieving the most efficacious response to pharmacologic intervention, which is more beneficial in the early stage of disease. Screening for ILD should include pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography (CT). The management of SSc is challenging because available therapies are limited and have only a modest benefit, and none are US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved specifically for the treatment of SSc-ILD. However, ongoing clinical trials and advances have been made in evidence-based approaches to SSc-ILD, including immunotherapy-based care.

During this Medical Crossfire^®, a panel of expert faculty will review the pathophysiology, disease course, and burden of a SSc-ILD diagnosis, as well as the predictors of mortality and disease progression. The panel will also discuss diagnostic modalities and challenges associated with making a diagnosis in the setting of SSc-ILD, as well as current and emerging therapies. Finally, the panel will talk about team-based strategies to optimize the overall management of SSc-ILD.

Acknowledgement of Commercial Support

This activity is supported by educational funding provided by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Target Audience

This online educational activity is directed toward pulmonologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, clinical immunologists, allergists, specialty nurse practitioners, physician assistants, primary care clinicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of SSc-ILD

Educational Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, you should be better prepared to:

1. Assess the pathophysiology of SSc-ILD and the implications that new insights have for diagnosing and treating the disease
2. Identify key risk factors for SSc-ILD to improve early symptom recognition and prognosis of the disease
3. Analyze key data on new and emerging treatment options for SSc-ILD to properly educate patients
4. Implement team-based strategies to improve individualization of treatment plans for patients with SSc-ILD

Faculty, Staff, and Planners' Disclosures

Faculty

Monique Hinchcliff, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Medicine
Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Director of Clinical Research
Director of Yale Scleroderma Program
New Haven, Connecticut

Disclosures: No relevant financial information to disclose.

Ganesh Raghu, MD, FACP, FCCP
Director: Center for Interstitial Lung Diseases
Co-Director: Scleroderma Clinic
University of Washington Medical Center
Professor of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington

Disclosures: Consultant: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Roche-Genentech; Investigational/Off-Label Use of Drugs/Devices Disclosure: Pirfenidone, Nintedanib, Mycophenolate

Lesley Ann Saketkoo, MD, MPH
Director
New Orleans Scleroderma & Sarcoidosis Patient Care & Research Center
New Orleans, Louisiana
Tulane Director
University Medical Centre (UMC) - Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Center (CPHC)
Associate Professor of Medicine
Tulane University School of Medicine
Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology
Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care and Environmental Medicine
New Orleans, Louisiana

Disclosures: No relevant financial information to disclose

Carolyn Spada RN, BSN
Nurse Coordinator
University of Washington Center for Interstitial Lung Disease
Seattle, Washington

Disclosures: No relevant financial information to disclose

The staff of PER^® have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Disclosure Policy and Resolution of Conflicts of Interest (COI)

As a sponsor accredited by the ACCME, it is the policy of PER^® to ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its CME activities. In compliance with ACCME guidelines, PER^® requires everyone who is in a position to control the content of a CME activity to disclose all relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. The ACCME defines “relevant financial relationships” as financial relationships in any amount occurring within the past 12 months that creates a COI.

Additionally, PER^® is required by ACCME to resolve all COI. PER^® has identified and resolved all COI prior to the start of this activity by using a multistep process.

Off-Label Disclosure and Disclaimer

This CME activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Participants are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this CME activity is for continuing medical and nursing education purposes only, and is not meant to substitute for the independent clinical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic, treatment, or management options for a specific patient’s medical condition. The opinions expressed in the content are solely those of the individual faculty members and do not reflect those of PER^®.