AB0998 The Severity of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Transthoracic Ultrasonography (TUS)

Background The aim of this study was to determine the scale of severity of pulmonary fibrosis in the transthoracic ultrasonography (TUS). Objectives This study propose an estimation of severity of pulmonary fibrosis in TUS. The study group contained patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis in course of connective tissue diseases. Methods TUS was performed in 50 patients (30 female, 20 male), average age 53 (SD 24), with diagnosed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (20/50) and pulmonary fibrosis in the course of connective tissue disease (30/50). Pulmonary fibrosis was confirmed by high resolusion computed tomography (HRCT). The study group was compared with control group (50 subjects) with normal X-ray and no history in the direction of lung diseases. Results In the ultrasound pulmonary fibrosis scale was used ultrasound features showing the best correlation with the results (HRCT). In the first part of the study determined the severity of pulmonary fibrosis in HRCT by Warricks scale (called Fibrosis Index).Then, set up the scale of severity of pulmonary fibrosis on TUS, which was called Ultrasound Fibrosis Index. Taken into account the following ultrasound signs: irregular pleural line, blurred pleural line, B-line artifacts below 3 in one intercostal space, B-line artifacts over 4 in one intercostal space and Am-line artifacts. It has been shown statistically significant correlation between Ultrasound Fibrosis Index and Fibrosis Index (HRCT). Conclusions This study indicates the possibility to estimate a severity of pulmonary fibrosis using TUS. This tool can be usefull in monitoring patients with recognized pulmonary fibrosis in course connective tissue diseases and another type of pulmonary fibrosis. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3831