Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: prognostic significance of high-resolution computed tomography in 59 patients.

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively analyze the prognostic implications of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings for patients with biopsy-proven nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP).

METHODS

Fifty-nine patients with NSIP (25 idiopathic NSIP, 34 collagen-vascular disease-associated NSIP) were included. Two chest radiologists independently evaluated the extent, presence, and distribution of various HRCT findings. Cox hazards analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between HRCT findings and prognosis.

RESULTS

The 5-year survival rate was 83% and the 10-year survival rate was 66%. Univariate analysis revealed that the extent of areas with ground-glass attenuation without traction bronchi-bronchiolectasis and that of airs-pace consolidation were associated with favorable outcome, whereas that of intralobular reticular opacities was associated with worse prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that the extent of air-space consolidation was an independent factor of favorable outcome.

CONCLUSION

In NSIP, the extent of areas with ground-glass attenuation without traction bronchi-bronchiolectasis, air-space consolidation, and intralobular reticular opacities correlate with survival.