Quantitative CT analysis of interstitial pneumonia in anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis: a single center, retrospective study

Introduction This study aimed to assess the utility of quantitative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for determining the clinical course of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (MDA5 + ILD). Method This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 34 patients with MDA5 + ILD to determine the association between the clinical findings and extent of ILD via quantitative CT analysis at baseline and short-term follow-up. Quantified HRCT scores were evaluated as the lung severity score (LSS), percentage of opacity, and percentage of high opacity. Results Thirty-four patients underwent follow-up CT scans 35 (range: 14–78) days after diagnosis. Patients who died of rapidly progressive ILD had higher LSS ( p