الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract To evaluate whether NFC findings could be a clue for discriminating idiopathic ILD from CTD associated ILDs [Rheumatoid Arthritis with ILD (RA-ILD) and systemic sclerosis with ILD (SSc-ILD)]. Patients and Methods: Eighty patients were divided into five groups; group I (20 RA-ILD), group II (20 SSc-ILD), group III (20 idiopathic ILD), group IV (10 RA without ILD) and group V (10 SSc without ILD). Modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) was done for SSc patients, disease activity score (DAS-28 ESR) score was done for RA patients. NFC, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of chest were done with assessment of fibrosis by Warrick score. Results: SSc-ILD and RA-ILD groups reported higher frequency of non- specific interstitial pneumonia while idiopathic ILD group had higher incidence of usual interstitial pneumonia.SSc-ILD group had lower capillary number, lower capillary length and higher capillary width. However, groups of RA-ILD and idiopathic ILD had higher incidence of tortuous capillaries and higher capillary length. Significant positive correlation was found between Warrick extent score and NFC length. Conclusion: SSc-ILD group had significantly reduced capillary density and higher frequencies of giant capillaries and capillary hemorrhages, but RA-ILD and idiopathic ILD groups had predominant elongated and tortuous capillaries |