Systemic sclerosis: correlation between lung abnormalities on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

Abstract

Background: Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease that affects multiple systems and causes fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. There are two ways in which the lungs can be involved in patients with systemic sclerosis, either isolated pulmonary hypertension or interstitial lung fibrosis. The purpose of this study is to correlate the high resolution CT findings with pulmonary function tests in patients with systemic sclerosis to evaluate the severity of lung changes. Results: Significant inverse correlations were found between the maximal extent radiological score, maximal severity radiological score as well as total (global) radiological score on one hand and the pulmonary function tests on the other hand Conclusion: The combination of high resolution CT and pulmonary function tests are recommended for better assessment of the extent and severity of systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease.