Lung Ultrasound for the Detection of Radiologic Progression of Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors' conclusion
LUS may be a useful, radiation-free tool to monitor and predict radiologic progression of ILAs in RA.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), symptom assessment and lung ultrasonography (LUS) at baseline and 12 to 18 months latercompleted follow-up HRCT
- Participants
- 81 patients
- Exposure
- LUS parameters vs PFTs, symptoms and clinical characteristics for predicting HRCT progression
- Outcome
- Radiologic progression of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) on longitudinal HRCT (five-point Likert scale, blinded thoracic radiologists)
- Follow-up
- 12 to 18 months
Methodological detailsprospective pilot study, blinded thoracic radiologists, 72-zone LUS protocol, multivariable logistic regression
- Prospective pilot study
- Blinded thoracic radiologists
- 72-zone LUS protocol
- Multivariable logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prediction of radiologic progression on HRCT
| Group | AUC | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| LUS | 0.78 | 0.64-0.92 |
| LUS + change in DLCO | 0.82 | 0.70-0.94 |
| Symptom scores | 0.58 | 0.40-0.75 |
| PFTs | 0.59 | 0.44-0.74 |
AUC
LUS0.78
LUS + change in DLCO0.82
Symptom scores0.58
PFTs0.59
95% CI
LUS0.64-0.92
LUS + change in DLCO0.70-0.94
Symptom scores0.40-0.75
PFTs0.44-0.74
- LUS + change in DLCO vs Symptom scores: P = 0.020 — outperformed
- LUS + change in DLCO vs PFTs: P = 0.022 — outperformed
- Radiologic progression observed
- 31% (25/81)
- Increase in B-lines associated with radiologic progression
- P = 0.018
- Linear trend confirmed
- P = 0.026
- Baseline B-lines predicted progression (multivariable)
- P = 0.029
- Change in B-lines over time predicted progression (multivariable)
- P = 0.012
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- Per-protocol LUS performed
- 95% (77/81)
Original publication
Lung Ultrasound for the Detection of Radiologic Progression of Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. Published 3 May 2026. doi:10.
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