D‐penicillamine therapy and interstitial lung disease in scleroderma. a long‐term followup study

Sequential lung function tests were performed on 17 scleroderma patients who were treated with D‐penicillamine (DP) (total of 66 treatment years) and on 10 control scleroderma patients who were not treated or were treated with low‐dose prednisone (total of 25 treatment years). Cusum plots showed significant differences between the 2 groups in their cumulative changes in carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) ( P < 0.005) and in DLco/lung volume ( P < 0.02). The end value of the DLco was > 10% lower than the initial value in 3 of the 17 DP‐treated patients versus 5 of the 10 control patients ( P < 0.01, Fisher's exact probability test); in 3 DP‐treated patients and 8 control patients ( P < 0.003, Fisher's exact probability test), the end value of the DLco/lung volume was >10% lower than the initial value. We conclude that DP has a beneficial effect on interstitial lung disease in patients with scleroderma.