[Treatment of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis with D-penicillamine in progressive scleroderma: a long-term study (author's transl)].

5 patients suffering from progressive scleroderma with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis have been treated since 1971 with D-penicillamine (Artamin) as basic therapeutic agent. All patients showed a significant tendency towards normalization of the pathological findings in regard to functional capacity of the lungs and scintigraphic and radiological assessment. These results, in our opinion, justify the recommendation of a new indication for D-penicillamine therapy, namely in cases of progressive scleroderma with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.