Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia can occur
over a period of weeks, but it is more likely to
develop over a period of months.7 Approximately
one third of patients with this disease have influenza-
like symptoms, and most patients have
fine crackles on examination, neither of which
this patient had. Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia
is frequently associated with connective-tissue
diseases or the presence of elevated levels of rheumatoid
factor or antinuclear antibodies.8 This patient
had no symptoms suggestive of a connectivetissue
disease, and tests for both rheumatoid
factor and antinuclear antibodies were negative