🫁 Understanding ILD5 min read
Autoimmune (connective-tissue) related ILD
Some ILD is linked to an autoimmune condition, which means two systems need coordinated care.
Why this matters
When ILD is connected to an autoimmune disease, your lungs and your whole-body condition are managed together — often by more than one specialist.
The main things to know
- Autoimmune conditions can affect the lungs as well as joints, skin, or muscles.
- You may see both a lung doctor and a rheumatologist who coordinate your care.
- Treating the underlying autoimmune disease is often part of caring for the lungs.
Want a quick plain-language summary of this page?
Some types of ILD are connected to autoimmune or connective-tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, or myositis. In these conditions, the immune system mistakenly affects the body's own tissues — and the lungs can be one of the areas involved.
Because the condition involves more than the lungs, your care may be shared between a pulmonologist and a rheumatologist. Keeping both informed helps them make decisions together.
Was this part helpful?
Helpful to track
- Lung symptoms (breathlessness, cough) and whole-body symptoms (joints, skin, swallowing, muscle strength).
- All of your medications, since some are chosen with both conditions in mind.
- Questions for whichever specialist you see next.
Was this part helpful?
Important
This is general education about autoimmune-related ILD. It does not diagnose your condition or recommend treatment. Your specialists guide your care.
Your safe next step
Every page ends with one small, safe action — no pressure.
Was this helpful overall?
Reviewed by Dr. Youmna Abdelghany, MD
Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Medicine
- Last reviewed:
- May 20, 2026
- Next review:
- November 20, 2026
- Reading level:
- Grade 6–8
Sources (3)
- Patient education series — American Thoracic Society (opens a new site)
- Interstitial lung diseases — NHLBI (NIH) (opens a new site)
- Lung health & disease — American Lung Association (opens a new site)