Subclinical Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. A Pilot Study on the Role of Ultrasound

Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common comorbidity present in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Employment of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is very limited and lung ultrasound (LUS) can be an alternative tool for the early evaluation of ILD. Objective: To determine the validity of LUS in the early detection of ILD in patients with SSc. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with SSc >18 years without respiratory symptoms were included. A rheumatologist rated the subclinical respiratory condition, another rheumatologist blinded to the clinical assessment performed the LUS. To determine validity HRCT was performed as well. Results: Prevalence of ILD in SSc patients was 41.2% in contrast to the 4.8% healthy controls (P = .0001). Variables associated with LUS and HRCT findings were anti-centromere antibodies (P = .005) and the Rodnan skin score (P = .004). A positive correlation was present between the findings of HRCT and LUS (P = .001). Sensitivity and specificity were 91.2% and 88.6% respectively. Good reliability in the LUS findings was found between observers (k = .72). Conclusions: By proving to be a valid, trustworthy and feasible alternative tool, we consider that LUS can be implemented for the early detection of ILD in SSc. (C) 2019 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. and Sociedad Espanola de Reumatologia y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatologia. All rights reserved.