Predictors for progressive fibrosis in patients with connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung diseases
Yu‐Hsiang Chiu, Julia Spierings, Pim A. de Jong, Firdaus Mohamed Hoesein, Jan C. Grutters, J.M. van Laar, Mareye Voortman
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) is associated with decreased quality of life and high mortality risk. Outcome and treatment response is unpredictable. This study aimed to identify clinical predictors for CTD-ILD with poor outcome. METHODS: We performed a retrospective single centre cohort study in outpatients with CTD-ILD seen between 2004 and 2018. Clinical and biochemical data, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results were analysed. Overall survival and progressive fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD, defined as a significant deterioration of PFT or HRCT) after two years of follow-up were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 150 patients with CTD-ILD were included. Thirty (20%) deaths occurred during a median follow-up of 40 months (IQR 27.3-60.8), which were attributed to pulmonary infection in six (4%), respiratory failure due to PF-ILD in ten (7%) and due to other causes in fourteen patients. PF-ILD occurred in 76 (50.7%) patients and was associated with poor overall survival (adjusted HR 5.73, 95%CI 1.17-28.11). Age, smoking, C-reactive protein, and steroid-use were independently associated with increased mortality risk as well. Furthermore, patients with diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR 4.52, 95%CI 1.10-18.51), steroid-use (adjusted OR 2.26, 95%CI 1.04-4.93), and a fibrotic HRCT pattern at baseline (adjusted OR 3.11, 95%CI 1.15-8.38) had a higher risk of PF-ILD. CONCLUSION: PF-ILD is associated with increased mortality in patients with CTD-ILD. Patients with a fibrotic HRCT pattern at baseline, diabetes mellitus and steroid-use have a higher risk of developing PF-ILD.