4. Scleroderma
Scleroderma is the term used to describe a group of skin diseases — all of which involve the tightening and hardening of the tissue. The disease is more prominent in females as opposed to males and typically develops between the ages of 30-50 years old. Seeing as scleroderma is an autoimmune disease.
This means that someone with another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 2 diabetes could have a higher risk of developing scleroderma. A variant known as scleroderma lung disease could scar the lung and thus lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
Scleroderma patients should be especially cautious if they start to notice symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis as their existing condition puts them at a higher likelihood of developing it. When a patient has both conditions, they will accelerate each other’s progression.