Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Treatment strategies and clinical outcomes in shrinking lung syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus: An updated systematic review
Authors' conclusion
Early glucocorticoid therapy remains essential, but complete functional recovery is rare, with 80% of patients maintaining chronic restriction.
Study context
- Population
- Adult patients with shrinking lung syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); studies published up to January 2026
- Participants
- 111 patients40 studies
- Outcome
- Treatment and clinical outcomes in SLS
Methodological detailsPRISMA guidelines, six databases searched, JBI quality assessment
- PRISMA guidelines
- Six databases searched
- JBI quality assessment
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Symptomatic resolution
75-95%
Complete functional recovery (normalization of pulmonary function tests)
20-23%
Mortality directly attributed to SLS
2-5.5%
GC as mainstay of therapy
95-96%
Further pooled results
Baseline characteristics
- Female
- 91%
- Mean age, years
- 33.5 ± 9.8
- Restrictive pattern in all patients; FVC
- 47-52%
- Studies at low risk of bias
- 87.5%
- 30 case reports and 10 case series
Original publication
Treatment strategies and clinical outcomes in shrinking lung syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus: An updated systematic review. Lupus. Published 16 June 2026. doi:10.
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