Long-term sequelae of Farmer's lung disease in HRCT: a 14-year follow-up study of 88 patients and 83 matched control farmers

The aim of this study was to compare high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of long-term farmer's lung (FL) patients and control farmers. We studied 88 FL patients and 83 matched control farmers with a mean follow-up time of 14 years. Emphysematous, fibrotic, and miliary changes were recorded by HRCT. The pattern of emphysema and location and distribution of other findings were evaluated in detail. Emphysema was found in 20 (23%) FL patients and in 6 (7%) controls (p=0.005). Recurrences of FL attacks increased (p=0.021) the risk of emphysema. Prevalence of fibrosis (17 vs 10%, p=0.16) and miliary changes (11 vs 4%, p=0.06) did not differ significantly in patients and controls. Among FL patients, emphysematous, fibrous, and miliary changes were more pronounced at the base than in the upper parts of the lung (p