Background:Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRD) is associated with increased mortality. Moreover, the lung is one of the most effected organs on IRD. Consequently, screening methods were required to the detect ILD in IRD.Objectives:The objective of the following study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of lung function test, chest x-ray and HR-CT of the lung in the detection of ILD at the onset of IRD.Methods:The study is designed as a case-control study and includes 126 patients with a newly diagnosed IRD. It was matched by gender, age and the performance of lung function test and chest x-ray. The sensitivity and specificity were verified by crosstabs and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The study cohort was divided in two groups (ILD group: n = 63 and control group: n = 63). If possible, all patients received a lung function test and optional a chest x-ray. Patients with pathological findings in the screening tests (chest x-ray or reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) < 80 %) maintained a high-resolution computer tomography (HR-CT) of the lung. Additionally, an immunological bronchioalveolar lavage was performed in the ILD group as gold standard for the detection of ILD.Results:The DLCO (< 80 %) revealed a sensitivity of 83.6 % and specificity of 45.8 % for the detection of ILD. Other examined parameter of lung function test showed no sufficient sensitivity as screening test (FVC = Forced Vital Capacity, FEV1 = Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second, TLC = Total Lung Capacity, TLCO = Transfer factor of the Lung for carbon monoxide). Also, a combination of different parameter did not increase the sensitivity. The sensitivity and specificity of chest x-ray for the verification of ILD was 64.2 % versus 73.6 %. The combination of DLCO (< 80 %) and chest x-ray showed a sensitivity with 95.2 % and specificity with 38.7 %. The highest sensitivity (95.2 %) and specificity (77.4 %) was observed for the combination of DLCO (< 80 %) and HR-CT of the lung.Conclusion:The study highlighted that a reduced DLCO in lung function test is associated with a lung involvement in IRD. DLCO represented a potential screening parameter for lung manifestation in IRD. Especially patients with suspected vasculitis should receive an additional chest x-ray. Based on the high sensitivity of DLCO in combination with chest x-ray or HR-CT for the detection of ILD in IRD, all patients with a reduced DLCO (< 80%) should obtained an imaging of the lung.Disclosure of Interests:None declared
Effect of verbal counselling on metred‐dose inhaler proper use and lung function test amongst asthmatic patients: A meta‐analysis
