PhD Scientific Days 2023

Clinical Medicine - Posters J

A reduction in body mass index (BMI) is a potential predictor of functional progression in patients with pulmonary fibrosis associated with connective tissue disease.

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a severe complication of connective tissue diseases (CTD) that often presents as progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF).
Aims: In this study, we aimed to assess CTD-ILD cases reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of experts for functional progression ((f)PPF).
Methods: Between July 2019 and October 2020, our team reviewed 217 cases, with CTD-ILD accounting for 17.5% of cases. Baseline pulmonary symptoms, body mass index (BMI), and lung function were evaluated for all cases. Out of the 38 confirmed CTD-ILD cases, functional follow-up data were available for 29 cases.
Results: Most CTD-ILD patients were women (73.7%) and non-smokers (60.5%), with cough (68.4%), dyspnea (60.5%), and joint pain (60.5%) being the most common symptoms. Lung function tests revealed a mild restrictive ventilatory disorder and a decrease in diffusion (forced vital capacity % (FVC%) : 81.9 ± 23.9, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide % (DLCO%) 73.3 ± 22.6 %). Among the 29 cases with follow-up data, 10 cases met the functional progression criteria outlined in the new American Thoracic Society / European Respiratory Society guideline. The rate of decline in FVC% and DLCO% was higher in the functional (f)PPF group (Group 1) compared to the stable group (Group 2) during follow-up. Weight loss was also more prominent in Group 1 (Δbody mass index 2.4 vs. 1.3 kg/m2, p=0.02) compared to Group 2.
Conclusion: Overall, 26.3% of CTD-ILD patients experienced functional progression. Regular monitoring of body weight and lung function is crucial for timely recognition of progression.
Funding: SUPPORTED BY THE ÚNKP-22-3-I NEW NATIONAL EXCELLENCE PROGRAM OF THE MINISTRY FOR CULTURE AND INNOVATION FROM THE SOURCE OF THE NATIONAL RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION FUND.