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Software-Based Quantitative Analysis of Lung Parenchyma in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis May Provide New Generation Data for Pulmonary Fibrosis
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  • Duygu Temiz Karadag,
  • Ozgur Cakir,
  • Andac Komac,
  • Ayten Yazici,
  • Ayse Cefle
Duygu Temiz Karadag
Canakkale Mehmet Akif Ersoy State Hospital

Corresponding Author:dr_dtemiz@hotmail.com

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Ozgur Cakir
Kocaeli University
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Andac Komac
Kocaeli University
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Ayten Yazici
Kocaeli University
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Ayse Cefle
Kocaeli University
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Abstract

Objectives: To investigate lung volume and density in patients with SSc and changes in these parameters due to PF, using a software-aided image quantification method, and compare this with a matched healthy control group. Methods: Thoracic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images of patients and controls were analyzed using Myrian XP Lung 3D software. Right, and left lung densities and volumes were calculated separately by a blinded operator. Results were analyzed between subgroups to investigate associations with the clinical features. Results: A total of 135 patients with SSc and 38 healthy controls (HC) were included. Characteristics of the SSc patients were 94 (69.6%) without PF, 85.4% female, mean age 49.8 (15.4) years; 41 (30.4%) with PF, 88.3% female, mean age 50.2 (11.5) years and HC group were 89.5% Female, mean age 52.2 (5.8) years. The right and left lung densities were significantly higher, and right and left lung volumes were significantly lower in the SSc patients with signs of fibrosis than those without and HC (p<0.001 and p<0.001; p=0.006 and p=0.002, respectively). After excluding patients with PF, right and left lung densities and volumes differed significantly between diffuse cutaneous SSc, limited cutaneous SSc, and HC (p=0.002 and p<0.001; p=0.045 and p=0.044, respectively). Patients who developed PF during follow-up had significantly lower baseline right and left lung densities than those who did not (p=0.018; p=0.014, respectively). Forced vital capacity and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity showed weak correlation with lung densities and volumes in patients without PF and moderate to high correlation in PF patients. Conclusion: Lung density and volume in SSc patients changed significantly in those with PF and those without. Quantitative information extracted by soft-ware aided methods may contribute more to the detection, screening, and risk prediction in SSc related PF.
13 Sep 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
14 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
14 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
16 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Nov 20201st Revision Received
29 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
29 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
29 Nov 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Accept