The ‘shrinking lungs syndrome’—an infrequently recognised feature of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Two cases of the 'Shrinking Lungs Syndrome' in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are described to highlight an infrequently recognised feature of this condition. Respiratory muscle weakness, improved by steroid therapy, was demonstrated in each patient and considered to be the mechanism underlying the respiratory symptoms.