AB1176 CORRELATION OF THE FINDINGS OF ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION OF THE LUNGS AND INTERSTITIAL LUNG FIBROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS
Authors: Nikola Roganovic
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2019)

<h3>Background</h3> Interstitial lung disease is one of the most severe complications in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), especially in those with diffuse form of this disease. Carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) measurement is an important diagnostic method for assessing lung fibrosis. In recent years, ultrasound (US) lung examination has been used to evaluate the presence of interstitial changes (B lines) in the lungs. <h3>Objectives</h3> Determine whether there is a statistically significant difference in positive US findings on the lungs between the groups of subjects with a diffuse SSc and limited SSc, and whether there is a statistically significant difference in the presence of pulmonary fibrosis between these two groups of subjects. Then determine whether there is a correlation between the presence of B lines on the US examination of the lungs and the finding of lung fibrosis in patients with diffuse and limited SSc. <h3>Methods</h3> The study included 55 patients of both sexes with SSc from the Institute of Rheumatology (28 with diffuse and 27 with limited SSc), aged between 43 and 79 years. Data on the presence of pulmonary fibrosis were based on clinical findings and reduced lung diffusion parameters (DLCO less than 75%). An US examination of the lungs was performed for all patients and the number of B lines in all lung segments was determined. Positive US finding was the finding of 3 or more B lines in at least two adjacent fields of US scanning or more than 5 B lines in any single field of ultrasound scanning. <h3>Results</h3> There was a statistically significant difference in positive US findings on the lungs between the groups of subjects with diffuse SSc and limited SSc (85.7% versus 44.4%, p &lt;0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed in the presence of pulmonary fibrosis between the groups of subjects with diffuse SSc and limited SSc (85.7% versus 55.6%, p &lt;0.05). It has also been shown that there is a highly statistically significant correlation between the presence of B lines on US examination of the lungs and findings of lung fibrosis in patients with diffuse and limited SSc (t = 0,700, p &lt;0.001). <h3>Conclusion</h3> The conducted study confirmed that there is a highly statistically significant correlation between the presence of B lines in the US examination of the lungs and the findings of lung fibrosis in patients with diffuse and limited form of SSc. The study also found that patients with diffuse SSc had significantly more frequent positive US findings on the lungs, as well as a more frequent presence of pulmonary fibrosis compared to the patients with limited SSc. Introducing US into a routine protocol for monitoring patients with SSc diagnosis would provide a simple, inexpensive, fast and accurate orientation to the development of fibrotic changes in the lungs. <h3>References</h3> [1] Shahin AA. Pulmonary involment in systemic sclerosis. Treat Respir Med 2006;5:429-36. [2] Doveri M, Frassi F, et al. Ultrasound lung comets: new echographic sign of lung interstitial fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Reumatismo. 2008 Jul-Sep;60(3):180-4. [3] Barskova T, Gargani L, et al. Lung ultrasound for the screening of interstitial lung disease in very early systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis 2013; 72: 390-395. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None declared