CLINICAL AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF UIP AND NSIP DIAGNOSED BY HIGH-RESOLUTION CT
Abstract
Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) and Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP) are major subtypes of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, distinguishable by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and associated clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Aim of the study: To evaluate clinical and sociodemographic features of patients with UIP and NSIP and investigate associations with HRCT-diagnosed disease type. Material and Methods: A retrospective study included 70 patients with UIP and NSIP attending the University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Skopje, between 2022 and 2024. HRCT was performed using a 128-slice PHILIPS INCISIVE CT scanner with a thoracic protocol. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded. Results: NSIP patients were younger than UIP patients (61.1 ± 14.1 vs. 66.8 ± 8.5 years; p = 0.039). Female predominance was observed in both groups, likely due to inclusion of connective tissue disease-associated ILD. Former smoking was more common in UIP (67.5% vs. 36.7%; p = 0.01), while current smoking and cumulative exposure were similar. Time since smoking cessation was longer in NSIP patients (14.0 ± 9.2 vs. 7.6 ± 10.8 years; p = 0.029). Cough and dyspnea were frequent in both groups, with no significant differences in MRC dyspnea scores (p = 0.24). Comorbidities were present in 66.7% of NSIP and 70% of UIP patients (p = 0.77). Conclusion: HRCT with clinical and sociodemographic data is essential for differentiating UIP from NSIP, with age and former smoking as key distinguishing factors, while symptoms and comorbidities were similar.
Keywords: UIP, NSIP ,HRCT, Sociodemographic characteristics.
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