Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema as a clinicoradiologic entity: Characterization of presenting lung fibrosis and implications for survival

Relationships between disease severity and measures of health status in people with interstitial lung disease in India: an observational study

The severity and progression of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) can vary due to environmental, cultural and genetic factors. The relationship between disease severity and factors that determine the health status of people with ILD living in lower middle-income countries like India has not been evaluated. This study aimed to determine whether there were relationships between disease severity with functional exercise capacity and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among people with ILD in India. This was a prospective, single center observational study. All participants performed Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) % predicted, Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) % predicted, 6 min Walk Distance (6MWD), St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale. Eighty participants with ILD were recruited from September 2020 and December 2022. There were strong correlations between 6MWD with DLCO % pred (Spearman rho 0.891) and between SGRQ Total score and DLCO % pred (Spearman rho 0.906). There were no correlations between 6MWD and FVC % pred (Spearman rho 0.206) or between SGRQ and FVC % pred (Spearman rho 0.113). This study demonstrated strong correlations between disease severity measured by DLCO % pred with both functional exercise capacity and HRQoL in people with ILD in India.

Quantitative Imaging Methods in Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema

TOPIC IMPORTANCE

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is an underdiagnosed syndrome in which individuals have variable degrees of pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. Patients with CPFE have high morbidity, including poor exercise tolerance and increased development of comorbidities. CPFE mortality also seems to outpace that of lone emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. A major limitation to rigorous, large-scale studies of CPFE has been the lack of a precise definition for this syndrome. A 2022 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society/Japanese Respiratory Society/Latin American Thoracic Association research statement called attention to fundamental gaps in our understanding of CPFE and highlighted the potential use of quantitative imaging techniques to better define CPFE.

REVIEW FINDINGS

Broadly, CPFE has been defined using visual interpretation of chest CT imaging documenting the presence of both emphysema and fibrosis, with varying distributions. When quantitative approaches were involved, varying thresholds of emphysema and fibrosis on imaging have been used across different studies.

SUMMARY

This review is structured into three primary themes, starting with early imaging studies, then evaluating the use of quantitative methods and imaging-based thresholds, both in large population studies and single-center cohorts to define CPFE and assess patient outcomes. It concludes by discussing current challenges and how to focus our efforts so that quantitative imaging methods can effectively address the most pressing clinical dilemmas in CPFE.

Serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 as a potential biomarker for distinguishing combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A retrospective study

Background

The presence of fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD) is relatively common in patients with emphysema. This has been designated combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). CPFE had worse prognosis than emphysema alone. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) levels as a biomarker of alveolar type 2 epithelial cell injury, which is widely used to identify the presence of ILD, whether it can differentiate CPFE from COPD remains unknown.

Methods

259 patients from Xiangya Hospital with diagnosis of COPD, with or without ILD, and who had KL-6 tests were recruited for this retrospective analysis. Recorded data included demographic information, comorbidities, inflammatory biomarkers. Results of CT and pulmonary function tests were collected one week before or after KL-6 measurements.

Results

Among 259 patients, 52 patients were diagnosed with CPFE. The mean age was 67.39 ± 8.14 yeas. CPFE patients had higher ratio of rheumatic diseases (21.2 % vs 7.2 %, P = 0.003). CPFE patients exhibited higher values of FEV1 (1.97 vs 1.57, P = 0.002) and FEV1/FVC ratio (69.46 vs 57.64, P < 0.001) compared to COPD patients. CPFE patients had higher eosinophil counts, percentage of eosinophils, lactate dehydrogenase, total bilirubin levels and lower platelet counts. Serum KL-6 levels were higher in CPFE group compared to COPD group (574.95 vs 339.30 U/mL, P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed that KL-6 level was an independent predictive factor for the presence of ILD among COPD patients. The AUC of serum KL-6 levels to differentiate CPFE was 0.711, with 95 % CI being 0.635 to 0.787. The cutoff point of KL-6 level was 550.95 U/mL with 57.7 % sensitivity and 79.7 % specificity for the discrimination of CPFE from COPD.

Conclusion

CPFE patients show higher KL-6 levels compared to isolated COPD, suggesting the potential of KL-6 as a practical screening tool for interstitial lung disease, specifically CPFE. A KL-6 threshold of 550.95 U/mL in COPD patients may indicate a high need for high-resolution chest computed tomography to detect fibrosis.

Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and progressive pulmonary fibrosis: A position statement from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand 2023 revision

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease leading to significant morbidity and mortality. In 2017 the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and Lung Foundation Australia (LFA) published a position statement on the treatment of IPF. Since that time, subsidized anti-fibrotic therapy in the form of pirfenidone and nintedanib is now available in both Australia and New Zealand. More recently, evidence has been published in support of nintedanib for non-IPF progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). Additionally, there have been numerous publications relating to the non-pharmacologic management of IPF and PPF. This 2023 update to the position statement for treatment of IPF summarizes developments since 2017 and reaffirms the importance of a multi-faceted approach to the management of IPF and progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema: A Narrative Review

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) syndrome refers to co-occurrence of two disease processes in the lung that can be difficult to diagnose but is associated with high morbidity and mortality burden. Diagnosis of CPFE is challenging because the two diseases can counterbalance respective impairments resulting in deceivingly normal-appearing chest radiography and spirometry in a dyspneic patient. Although an international committee published the terminology and definitions of CPFE in 2022, consensus on exact diagnostic criteria and optimal management strategy is yet to be determined. Herein, we provide a narrative review summarizing the literature on CPFE from 1990 to 2022, including historical background, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, imaging and pulmonary function findings, diagnosis, prognosis, complications, and treatment. Although CPFE was initially conceived as a variant presentation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, it has been recognized to occur in patients with a wide variety of interstitial lung diseases, including connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung diseases, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The affected patients have a heightened risk for pulmonary hypertension and lung cancer. Clinicians need to recognize the characteristic presenting features of CPFE along with prognostic implications of this entity.

Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema: When Scylla and Charybdis Ally

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a recently recognized syndrome that, as its name indicates, involves the existence of both interstitial lung fibrosis and emphysema in one individual, and is often accompanied by pulmonary hypertension. This debilitating, progressive condition is most often encountered in males with an extensive smoking history, and is presented by dyspnea, preserved lung volumes, and contrastingly impaired gas exchange capacity. The diagnosis of the disease is based on computed tomography imaging, demonstrating the coexistence of emphysema and interstitial fibrosis in the lungs, which might be of various types and extents, in different areas of the lung and several relative positions to each other. CPFE bears high mortality and to date, specific and efficient treatment options do not exist. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge about the clinical attributes and manifestations of CPFE. Moreover, we will focus on pathophysiological and pathohistological lung phenomena and suspected etiological factors of this disease. Finally, since there is a paucity of preclinical research performed for this particular lung pathology, we will review existing animal studies and provide suggestions for the development of additional in vivo models of CPFE syndrome.

Development of a patient-specific chest computed tomography imaging phantom with realistic lung lesions using silicone casting and three-dimensional printing

The validation of the accuracy of the quantification software in computed tomography (CT) images is very challenging. Therefore, we proposed a CT imaging phantom that accurately represents patient-specific anatomical structures and randomly integrates various lesions including disease-like patterns and lesions of various shapes and sizes using silicone casting and three-dimensional (3D) printing. Six nodules of various shapes and sizes were randomly added to the patient's modeled lungs to evaluate the accuracy of the quantification software. By using silicone materials, CT intensities suitable for the lesions and lung parenchyma were realized, and their Hounsfield unit (HU) values were evaluated on a CT scan of the phantom. As a result, based on the CT scan of the imaging phantom model, the measured HU values for the normal lung parenchyma, each nodule, fibrosis, and emphysematous lesions were within the target value. The measurement error between the stereolithography model and 3D-printing phantoms was 0.2 ± 0.18 mm. In conclusion, the use of 3D printing and silicone casting allowed the application and evaluation of the proposed CT imaging phantom for the validation of the accuracy of the quantification software in CT images, which could be applied to CT-based quantification and development of imaging biomarkers.

Modeling of Respiratory Diseases Evolving with Fibrosis from Organoids Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Respiratory disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is no cure for most diseases, which are treated symptomatically. Hence, new strategies are required to deepen the understanding of the disease and development of therapeutic strategies. The advent of stem cell and organoid technology has enabled the development of human pluripotent stem cell lines and adequate differentiation protocols for developing both airways and lung organoids in different formats. These novel human-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived organoids have enabled relatively accurate disease modeling. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal and debilitating disease that exhibits prototypical fibrotic features that may be, to some extent, extrapolated to other conditions. Thus, respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or the one caused by SARS-CoV-2 may reflect some fibrotic aspects reminiscent of those present in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Modeling of fibrosis of the airways and the lung is a real challenge due to the large number of epithelial cells involved and interaction with other cell types of mesenchymal origin. This review will focus on the status of respiratory disease modeling from human-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived organoids, which are being used to model several representative respiratory diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and COVID-19.

The Impact of Lung Cancer in Patients with Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE)

Given the high risk of lung cancer (LC) in patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), and the difficulty of early diagnosis, it is important to understand the impact of LC in these patients. The effect of LC on the development of acute exacerbation (AE) as a natural course of CPFE is still unknown. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients at the West China Hospital and enrolled 59 patients with CPFE combined with LC and 68 CPFE patients without LC for initial diagnosis matched in the same period. We compared the clinical characteristics and imaging features of CPFE patients with LC and without LC, and analyzed the associated factors for the prevalence of LC using binary logistic regression. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to explore risk factors of AE as a natural course of CPFE. Patients with CPFE combined with LC were more common among elderly male smokers. The most common pathological type of tumor was adenocarcinoma (24/59, 40.7%) and squamous cell carcinoma (18/59, 30.5%). Compared with those in the without LC group, the proportions of men, and ex- or current smokers, and the levels of smoking pack-years, serum CRP, IL-6, fibrinogen, complement C3 and C4 in patients with LC were significantly higher (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the proportion of natural-course-related AE (10.2% vs. 16.2%, p > 0.05) between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that pack-years ≥ 20 (OR: 3.672, 95% CI: 1.165-11.579), family history of cancer (OR: 8.353, 95% CI: 2.368-10.417), the level of fibrinogen > 4.81 g/L (OR: 3.628, 95% CI: 1.403-9.385) and serum C3 > 1.00 g/L (OR: 5.299, 95% CI: 1.727-16.263) were independently associated with LC in patients with CPFE. Compared to those without AE, CPFE patients with AE had significantly higher levels of PLR and serum CRP, with obviously lower DLCO and VC. The obviously increased PLR (HR: 3.731, 95% CI: 1.288-10.813), and decreased DLCO%pred (HR: 0.919, 95% CI: 0.863-0.979) and VC%pred (HR: 0.577, 95% CI: 0.137-0.918) rather than the presence of LC independently contributed to the development of natural-course-related AE in patients with CPFE. Pack-years, family history of cancer, the levels of fibrinogen and serum C3 were independently associated with LC in patients with CPFE. The presence of LC did not significantly increase the risk of AE as a natural course of CPFE. Clinicians should give high priority to CPFE patients, especially those with more severe fibrosis and systemic inflammation, in order to be alert for the occurrence of AE.

Radiographic Phenotypes Affect the Risk of Inhaled Corticosteroid-Associated Pneumonia in Patients with COPD

Purpose

Few studies have reported the association between the radiographic characteristics and the development of pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). Our study aimed to assess the effect of radiographic phenotypes on the risk of pneumonia in patients treated with ICSs.

Patients and Methods

This study retrospectively analysed all patients with COPD treated with ICSs in a subset of the Korea Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders Subgroup Study registry between January 2017 and December 2019. The association between radiographic phenotypes including the presence and severity of emphysema, airway wall thickening, or bronchiectasis on chest computed tomography were determined visually/qualitatively and the risk of pneumonia was analyzed using the Cox regression model.

Results

Among the 90 patients with COPD treated with ICSs, 41 experienced pneumonia more than once during the median follow-up of 29 (interquartile range, 8–35) months. In univariate Cox regression analysis, older age, longer use of ICSs, use of fluticasone propionate or metered dose inhaler, and severe exacerbation events increased the risk of pneumonia. In multivariate analysis, the presence of emphysema (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=3.73, P=0.033), severity measured using the visual sum score (mild-to-moderate, aHR=8.58, P=0.016; severe, aHR=3.58, P=0.042), Goddard sum score (mild-to-moderate, aHR=3.31, P=0.058; severe, aHR=5.38, P=0.014), and the upper lobe distribution of emphysema (aHR=3.76, P=0.032) were associated with a higher risk of pneumonia. Subtypes of centrilobular and panlobular emphysema had a higher risk of pneumonia compared with paraseptal emphysema (aHR=3.98, P=0.033; HR=3.91, P=0.041 vs HR=2.74, P=0.304). The presence of bronchiectasis (aHR=2.41, P=0.02) and emphysema/bronchiectasis overlap phenotype (aHR=2.19, P=0.053) on chest CT was a risk factor for pneumonia in this population. However, severity of bronchiectasis and the presence or severity of bronchial wall thickening according to the visual sum score were not associated with the risk of pneumonia.

Conclusion

Among patients with COPD treated with ICSs, radiographic phenotypes including the presence of emphysema, bronchiectasis or emphysema/bronchiectasis overlap phenotype, severity with emphysema, subtypes of centrilobular or panlobular emphysema, and upper lobe distribution of emphysema may help predict the risk of pneumonia.

Enhancing Imagistic Interstitial Lung Disease Diagnosis by Using Complex Networks

Background and Objectives: Diffuse interstitial lung diseases (DILD) are a heterogeneous group of over 200 entities, some with dramatical evolution and poor prognostic. Because of their overlapping clinical, physiopathological and imagistic nature, successful management requires early detection and proper progression evaluation. This paper tests a complex networks (CN) algorithm for imagistic aided diagnosis fitness for the possibility of achieving relevant and novel DILD management data. Materials and Methods: 65 DILD and 31 normal high resolution computer tomography (HRCT) scans were selected and analyzed with the CN model. Results: The algorithm is showcased in two case reports and then statistical analysis on the entire lot shows that a CN algorithm quantifies progression evaluation with a very fine accuracy, surpassing functional parameters' variations. The CN algorithm can also be successfully used for early detection, mainly on the ground glass opacity Hounsfield Units band of the scan. Conclusions: A CN based computer aided diagnosis could provide the much-required data needed to successfully manage DILDs.

Syndrome of Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema: An Official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Research Statement

Background: The presence of emphysema is relatively common in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease. This has been designated combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). The lack of consensus over definitions and diagnostic criteria has limited CPFE research. Goals: The objectives of this task force were to review the terminology, definition, characteristics, pathophysiology, and research priorities of CPFE and to explore whether CPFE is a syndrome. Methods: This research statement was developed by a committee including 19 pulmonologists, 5 radiologists, 3 pathologists, 2 methodologists, and 2 patient representatives. The final document was supported by a focused systematic review that identified and summarized all recent publications related to CPFE. Results: This task force identified that patients with CPFE are predominantly male, with a history of smoking, severe dyspnea, relatively preserved airflow rates and lung volumes on spirometry, severely impaired DlCO, exertional hypoxemia, frequent pulmonary hypertension, and a dismal prognosis. The committee proposes to identify CPFE as a syndrome, given the clustering of pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, shared pathogenetic pathways, unique considerations related to disease progression, increased risk of complications (pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer, and/or mortality), and implications for clinical trial design. There are varying features of interstitial lung disease and emphysema in CPFE. The committee offers a research definition and classification criteria and proposes that studies on CPFE include a comprehensive description of radiologic and, when available, pathological patterns, including some recently described patterns such as smoking-related interstitial fibrosis. Conclusions: This statement delineates the syndrome of CPFE and highlights research priorities.

Patient background and prognosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in fibrosing interstitial lung disease

Several previous reports have shown interstitial lung disease (ILD) to be a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). However, there is a lack of clarity regarding patient background and the prognostic factors in CPA associated with ILD (CPA-ILD). Therefore, we assessed these points to obtain valuable information for clinical practice. We retrospectively surveyed and collected data from 459 patients who had serum examination for anti-Aspergillus antibody. Of these patients, we extracted and investigated CPA-ILD patients. We ultimately analyzed 32 CPA-ILD patients. Patient background factors more frequently showed the patients to be older (mean: 74.9 years), male (75.0%), and to have a smoking history (71.9%). Median survival time from the diagnosis of ILD was 76.0 months, whereas that from the diagnosis of CPA-ILD was 25.5 months. No significant differences in survival were found in regard to each ILD pattern and the presence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. A higher level of C-reactive protein was a significant predictor of mortality by Cox regression analysis. CPA complicating ILD is associated with poor prognosis. ILD patients with older age, male sex, and smoking history should be aware of the potential for the development of CPA in ILD. If such patients have elevated markers of inflammation, prompt induction of antifungal treatment may improve their prognosis. Clinicians should be aware of which complications of CPA may lead to a poor prognosis for any ILD not just those limited to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or usual interstitial pneumonia pattern.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Interstitial Lung Disease

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) have distinct clinical features, both diseases may coexist in a patient because they share similar risk factors such as smoking, male sex, and old age. Patients with both emphysema in upper lung fields and diffuse ILD are diagnosed with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), which causes substantial clinical deterioration. Patients with CPFE have higher mortality compared with patients who have COPD alone, but results have been inconclusive compared with patients who have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Poor prognostic factors for CPFE include exacerbation, lung cancer, and pulmonary hypertension. The presence of interstitial lung abnormalities, which may be an early or mild form of ILD, is notable among patients with COPD, and is associated with poor prognosis. Various theories have been proposed regarding the pathophysiology of CPFE. Biomarker analyses have implied that this pathophysiology may be more closely associated with IPF development, rather than COPD or emphysema. Patients with CPFE should be advised to quit smoking and undergo routine lung function tests, and pulmonary rehabilitation may be helpful. Various pharmacologic agents and surgical approaches may be beneficial in patients with CPFE, but further studies are needed.

An increased risk of lung cancer in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema patients with usual interstitial pneumonia compared with patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis alone: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:

Lung cancer is an important complication of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). Whether the risk of lung cancer is higher in CPFE patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) than those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) alone, remains controversial. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of lung cancer in CPFE patients with UIP compared with IPF patients.

Methods:

We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for studies that focused on the incidence of lung cancer in CPFE/UIP and IPF groups. We used a fixed-effects model to analyze the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to data heterogeneity. The cumulative effects based on the publication year and sample size were assessed by cumulative meta-analysis.

Results:

A total of nine studies with 933 patients, including 374 CPFE patients with UIP, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall, CPFE patients with UIP have a higher risk of lung cancer than those with IPF alone (OR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.78–4.05). There were increased risks of lung cancer in CPFE/UIP patients with the presence of emphysema (OR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.79–4.79) or emphysema in ⩾10% of the lung volume (OR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.06–4.68).

Conclusions:

Our systematic review and meta-analysis indicated a significantly higher prevalence of lung cancer in CPFE patients with UIP than in patients with IPF alone.

The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

Pulmonary hypertension in fibrosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: Uncertainties, challenges and opportunities

Pulmonary hypertension is a serious complication of chronic fibrosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (PH-fIIP) leading to greater morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiologic basis for PH in fIIP is not completely understood, but microvascular rarefaction may play a key role. Severe hypoxemia and reduced diffusion capacity are characteristic. Doppler echocardiography has limited diagnostic utility and right heart catheterization is required to confirm the diagnosis. Lung volumes can be minimally affected, and radiographic findings can be subtle, making the distinction from pulmonary arterial hypertension challenging. Several randomized controlled trials of pulmonary arterial hypertension targeted therapies have recently been completed. Endothelin-receptor antagonists have shown either no benefit or harm. Sildenafil may have some favorable short-term effects but does not appear to impact long-term outcomes. Riociguat treatment increased hospitalizations and mortality. A recent trial of inhaled treprostinil demonstrated improved exercise capacity, but the impact on long-term morbidity and mortality are unknown. Currently, the only viable option for improved survival is lung transplantation. Early referral is imperative to optimize post-transplant outcomes.

Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE) Clinical Features and Management

Background

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is an underrecognized syndrome characterized by chronic, progressive disease with a dismal prognosis. Frequent co-morbidities with a higher incidence than in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or emphysema alone are pulmonary hypertension (WHO group 3) in 47–90% of the patients and lung cancer in 46.8% of the patients.

Objective

Review current evidence and knowledge concerning diagnosis, risk factors, disease evolution and treatment options of CPFE.

Methods

We searched studies reporting CPFE in original papers, observational studies, case reports, and meta-analyses published between 1990 and August 2020, in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library databases and Google Scholar using the search terms [CPFE], [pulmonary fibrosis] OR [IPF] AND [emphysema]. Bibliographies of retrieved articles were searched as well. Further inclusion criteria were publications in English, French, German and Italian, with reference to humans. In vitro data and animal data were not considered unless they were mentioned in studies reporting predominantly human data.

Results

Between May 1, 1990, and September 1, 2020, we found 16 studies on CPFE from the online sources and bibliographies. A total of 890 patients are described in the literature. Although male/female ratio was not reported in all studies, the large majority of patients were male (at least 78%), most of them were current or former heavy smokers.

Conclusion

CPFE is a syndrome presenting with dyspnea on exertion followed by disruptive cough and recurrent exacerbations. The disease may progress rapidly, be aggravated by pulmonary hypertension WHO group 3 and is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Smoking and male sex are important risk factors. There is a need for more research on CPFE especially relating to etiology, influence of genetics, treatment and prevention options. Antifibrotic therapy might be an interesting treatment option for these patients.

Survival predictors of interstitial lung disease in India: Follow-up of Interstitial Lung Disease India registry

Background:

Predictors of survival for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in the Indian population have not been studied. The primary objective of the study was to assess the Modified-Gender Age and Physiology (M-GAP) score to predict survival in patients with ILD seen in clinical practice. We also analyzed the role of demographic and radiological characteristics in predicting the survival of patients with ILD.

Materials and Methods:

In the ILD India registry, data were collected from 27 centers across 19 cities in India between March 2012 and June 2015. A single follow-up was conducted at 18 centers who agreed to participate in the follow-up in 2017. M-GAP score (range 0–5) was calculated with the following variables: age (≤60 years 0, 61–65 years 1, and >65 years 2), gender (female 0, male 1), and forced vital capacity% (>75% 0, 50%–75% 1, and >75% 2). A score of 0–3 and score of 4 and 5 were classified into Stage 1 and 2, respectively. Other predictors of survival, such as the history of tuberculosis, smoking, and the presence of honeycombing on computed tomography scan, were also evaluated.

Results:

Nine hundred and seven patients were contacted in 2017. Among them, 309 patients were lost to follow-up; 399 were alive and 199 had died. M-GAP was significantly associated with survival. Similarly, other predictors of survival were ability to perform spirometry (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34–0.72), past history of tuberculosis (HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.07–2.29), current or past history of smoking (HR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06–2.16), honeycombing (HR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.29–2.55), a diagnosis of connective tissue disease -ILD (HR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22–0.76), and sarcoidosis (HR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08–0.77).

Conclusion:

In a subgroup of patients with newly diagnosed ILD enrolled in ILD India registry and who were available for follow-up, M-GAP score predicted survival. Honeycombing at the time of diagnosis, along with accurate history of smoking, and previous history of tuberculosis were useful indices for predicting survival.

The AGE-RAGE Axis and RAGE Genetics in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous group of lung diseases limiting the airflow due to narrowing of airways, chronic bronchitis and emphysema that leads to difficulties in breathing. Chronic inflammation is another important characteristic of COPD which leads to immune cell infiltration and helps in the alveolar destruction. Pathology of COPD is driven by various environmental and genetic factors. COPD is mainly associated with the inhalation of toxic agents mainly the cigarette smoke. Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has emerged as a pattern recognition receptor and is a multiligand receptor expressed moderately in various cells, tissues and highly in the lungs throughout life. RAGE recognizes various ligands produced by cigarette smoke and its role has been implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD. RAGE ligands have been reported to accumulate in the lungs of patients with COPD. RAGE is a membrane receptor but its truncated form i.e. soluble RAGE (sRAGE) mainly functions as a contender of RAGE and inhibits various RAGE dependent cell signalling. Among the various ligands of RAGE, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are majorly linked with COPD. Accumulated AGE triggers downstream RAGE-AGE axis in COPD. Moreover, RAGE genetics has long been known to play a vital role in the pathology of various airway diseases including COPD and this gene contains an associated locus. A reliable biomarker is needed for the management of this disease. sRAGE has an inverse correlation with the RAGE showed its importance as a valuable marker in COPD. This review is focused on the role of RAGE, sRAGE, RAGE axis and RAGE genetics in COPD.

Differentiating combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema from pure emphysema: utility of late gadolinium-enhanced MRI

Background

Differentiating combined pulmonary fibrosis with emphysema (CPFE) from pure emphysema can be challenging on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). This has antifibrotic therapy implications.

Methods

Twenty patients with suspected CPFE underwent late gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI) and HRCT. Data from twelve healthy control subjects from a previous study who underwent thoracic LGE-MRI were included for comparison. Quantitative LGE signal intensity (SI) was retrospectively compared in regions of fibrosis and emphysema in CPFE patients to similar lung regions in controls. Qualitative comparisons for the presence/extent of reticulation, honeycombing, and traction bronchiectasis between LGE-MRI and HRCT were assessed by two readers in consensus.

Results

There were significant quantitative differences in fibrosis SI compared to emphysema SI in CPFE patients (25.8, IQR 18.4–31.0 versus 5.3, IQR 5.0–8.1, p < 0.001). Significant differences were found between LGE-MRI and HRCT in the extent of reticulation (12.5, IQR 5.0–20.0 versus 25.0, IQR 15.0–26.3, p = 0.038) and honeycombing (5.0, IQR 0.0–10.0 versus 20.0, IQR 10.6–20.0, p = 0.001) but not traction bronchiectasis (10.0, IQR 5–15 versus 15.0, IQR 5–15, p = 0.878). Receiver operator curve analysis of fibrosis SI compared to similarly located regions in control subjects showed an area under the curve of 0.82 (p = 0.002). A SI cutoff of 19 yielded a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 86% in differentiating fibrosis from similarly located regions in control subjects.

Conclusion

LGE-MRI can differentiate CPFE from pure emphysema and may be a useful adjunct test to HRCT in patients with suspected CPFE.

Automated computed tomography quantification of fibrosis predicts prognosis in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema in a real-world setting: a single-centre, retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a heterogeneous clinico-radiological syndrome without a consensus definition. There are limited data on the relation between the amount of parenchymal fibrosis and prognosis. In this study, we assessed the prognostic implications of the extent of fibrosis assessed by an automated quantitative computed tomography (CT) technique and the radiological and functional change over time in patients with a broad spectrum of fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) encountered in a real-world setting.

METHODS

We conducted a single-centre, retrospective study of 228 consecutive patients with CPFE, encountered from 2007 to 2015 at Kameda Medical Center, Chiba, Japan. We investigated the prognostic value of automated CT fibrosis quantification and the subsequent course of CPFE.

RESULTS

Among 228 patients with CPFE, 89 had fibrosis affecting < 5% of their lungs, 54 had 5 to < 10% fibrosis, and 85 had ≥ 10% fibrosis at the time of diagnosis. Lower volume of fibrosis correlated with lower rates of mortality and acute exacerbation (p < 0.001). In particular, among those with < 5% fibrosis, only 4.5% died and none experienced acute exacerbation during follow-up, whereas 57.6% and 29.4% of those with ≥ 10% fibrosis experienced death and acute exacerbation, respectively. Although, the ≥ 10% fibrosis group had the poorest overall survival as well as the highest incidence of acute exacerbation, the incidence of decline in pulmonary function tests, change per year in total lung volume, and progression of fibrosis on chest CT was highest in the 5 to < 10% fibrosis group. The Cox proportional hazard model for CPFE progression (defined by composite criteria of death, acute exacerbation, and decline in forced vital capacity or diffusing capacity) showed fibrosis proportion was a risk factor independent of age, sex, smoking pack-years, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, lung cancer, connective tissue disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Less severe (< 5%) fibrosis at baseline was associated with disease stability and better prognosis compared to more severe fibrosis in CPFE occurring with fibrotic ILDs. Further studies including a validation cohort will be needed. Trial Registration Retrospectively registered.

The Impact of Multidisciplinary Discussion (MDD) in the Diagnosis and Management of Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Diseases

Accurate diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is crucial for management and prognosis but can be challenging even for experienced clinicians. Expert multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) is considered the reference standard for ILD diagnosis; however, there remain concerns regarding lack of validation studies and relative limited information on the impact of MDD in real-life clinical practice. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of MDD in providing a specific ILD diagnosis, changing the diagnosis provided upon referral, and to determine how often and in which way MDD altered management. Material and Methods. Retrospective observational study in an ILD referral tertiary academic center. MDD diagnoses were categorized as specific, provisional, and unclassifiable ILD. Pre-MDD and MDD diagnoses were compared for change in diagnosis and concordance rates for specific diagnoses. Relevant change in management including initiation or change in pharmacological treatment, referral to surgical biopsy, and nonpharmacological management were recorded. Results. 126 cases were included (79M, 47F, 36–93 years, mean 70 y). Specific MDD diagnosis was provided in 62% (78/126); 12% (15/126) had provisional diagnosis, and 21% (27/126) was unclassifiable. Overall agreement for specific pre-MDD and MDD diagnosis was 41% (52/126) and 80% for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis. MDD altered diagnosis in 37% (47/126) and changed management in 39% (50/126). Amongst concordant diagnoses, management was altered in 46% (24/52). In summary, MDD provided a specific diagnosis discordant with pre-MDD diagnosis in a significant proportion of cases and was particularly valuable in the diagnosis of non-IPF ILD. MDD often altered management and had relevant impact on management even in cases with concordant pre-MDD diagnosis.

Lung Involvement in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome-An Under-Diagnosed Entity

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) represents a frequent extra-glandular manifestation of primary Sjögren's Syndrome (pSS). Limited published data regarding phenotyping and treatment exists. Advances in managing specific ILD phenotypes have not been comprehensively explored in patients with coexisting pSS. This retrospective study aimed to phenotype lung diseases occurring in a well-described pSS-ILD cohort and describe treatment course and outcomes. Between April 2018 and February 2020, all pSS patients attending our Outpatient clinic were screened for possible lung involvement. Clinical, laboratory and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings were analyzed. Patients were classified according to HRCT findings into five groups: usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP), combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), and non-specific-ILD. Lung involvement was confirmed in 31/268 pSS patients (13%). One-third (10/31) of pSS-ILD patients were Ro/SSA antibody negative. ILD at pSS diagnosis was present in 19/31 (61%) patients. The commonest phenotype was UIP n = 13 (43%), followed by NSIP n = 9 (29%), DIP n = 2 (6 %), CPFE n = 2 (6 %), and non-specific-ILD n = 5 (16%). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (D_LCO) appeared lower in UIP and DIP, without reaching a significant difference. Treatment focused universally on intensified immunosuppression, with 13/31 patients (42%) receiving cyclophosphamide. No anti-fibrotic treatments were used. Median follow-up was 38.2 [12.4–119.6] months. Lung involvement in pSS is heterogeneous. Better phenotyping and tailored treatment may improve outcomes and requires further evaluation in larger prospective studies.

Towards the Essence of Progressiveness: Bringing Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease (PF-ILD) to the Next Stage

Although only recently introduced in the ILD community, the concept of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD) has rapidly acquired an important place in the management of non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis fibrosing ILD (nonIPF fILD) patients. It confirms a clinical gut feeling that an important subgroup of nonIPF fILD portends a dismal prognosis despite therapeutically addressing the alleged triggering event. Due to several recently published landmark papers showing a treatment benefit with currently available antifibrotic drugs in PF-ILD patients, endorsing a PF-ILD phenotype has vital therapeutic consequences. Importantly, defining progressiveness is based on former progression, which has proven to be a rather moderate predictor of future progression. As fibrosis extent >20% and the presence of honeycombing have superior predictive properties regarding future progression, we advocate immediate initiation of antifibrotic treatment in the presence of these risk factors. In this perspective, we describe the historical context wherein PF-ILD has emerged, determine the currently employed PF-ILD criteria and their inherent limitations and propose new directions to mature its definition. Finally, while ascertaining progression in a nonIPF fILD patient clearly demonstrates the need for (additional) therapy, in the future, therapeutic decisions should be taken after assessing which pathway is ultimately driving the progression. Although not readily available, pathophysiological insight and diagnostic means are emergent to go full steam ahead in this novel direction.

Quantitative CT Analysis of Diffuse Lung Disease

Quantitative analysis of thin-section CT of the chest has a growing role in the clinical evaluation and management of diffuse lung diseases. This heterogeneous group includes diseases with markedly different prognoses and treatment options. Quantitative tools can assist in both accurate diagnosis and longitudinal management by improving characterization and quantification of disease and increasing the reproducibility of disease severity assessment. Furthermore, a quantitative index of disease severity may serve as a useful tool or surrogate endpoint in evaluating treatment efficacy. The authors explore the role of quantitative imaging tools in the evaluation and management of diffuse lung diseases. Lung parenchymal features can be classified with threshold, histogram, morphologic, and texture-analysis-based methods. Quantitative CT analysis has been applied in obstructive, infiltrative, and restrictive pulmonary diseases including emphysema, cystic fibrosis, asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, connective tissue-related interstitial lung disease, and combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. Some challenges limiting the development and practical application of current quantitative analysis tools include the quality of training data, lack of standard criteria to validate the accuracy of the results, and lack of real-world assessments of the impact on outcomes. Artifacts such as patient motion or metallic beam hardening, variation in inspiratory effort, differences in image acquisition and reconstruction techniques, or inaccurate preprocessing steps such as segmentation of anatomic structures may lead to inaccurate classification. Despite these challenges, as new techniques emerge, quantitative analysis is developing into a viable tool to supplement the traditional visual assessment of diffuse lung diseases and to provide decision support regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and longitudinal evaluation of disease. ^©RSNA, 2019.

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema: How does cohabitation affect respiratory functions?

PURPOSE

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) has emerged as a new syndrome with characteristics of both fibrosis and emphysema. We determined the impacts of radiologic emphysema severity on pulmonary function tests (PFTs), exercise capacity and mortality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

IPF patients (n = 110) diagnosed at the Chest Diseases Clinic between September 2013 and January 2016 were enrolled in the study and followed up until June 2017. Visual and digital emphysema scores, PFTs, pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), 6-minute walking test, composite physiologic index (CPI), and survival status were recorded. Patients with emphysema and those with pure IPF were compared.

RESULTS

The CPFE-group had a significantly greater ratio of men(p < 0.001), lower BMI (p < 0.001), lower mean PaO₂ (p = 0.005), higher mean sPAP (p = 0.014), and higher exercise desaturation (p < 0.001). The CPFE group had a significantly higher FVC(L)(p = 0.016), and lower FEV1/FVC ratio (p = 0.002), DLCO, and DLCO/VA ratio(p = 0.03 and p = 0.005, respectively). Lung volumes of the CPFE group had significantly higher VC(p = 0.017), FRC (p < 0.001), RV(p < 0.001), RV/TLC(p < 0.001), and TLC(p < 0.001). There were significant correlations between emphysema scores and FVC (L)(p = 0.01), FEV1/FVC(p = 0.001), DLCO (p = 0.003), VC(p = 0.014), FRC (L)(p < 0.001), RV(p < 0.001), TLC(p < 0.001), and RV/TLC (p < 0.001). Mortality rates were comparable between the two groups. CPI (p = 0.02) and sPAP (p = 0.01) were independent predictors of mortality in patients with CPFE.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence and severity of emphysema affects pulmonary function in IPF. Patients with CPFE have reduced diffusion capacity, more severe air trapping, worse muscle weakness, more severe exercise desaturation, and pulmonary hypertension. CPI and pulmonary hypertension are two independent risk factors for mortality in subjects with CPFE.