Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) comprise a varied group of processes, which range from acute inflammatory disorders to progressive fibrotic conditions. Despite significant differences in underlying pathology, most patients with ILD present with similar clinical complaints, such as dyspnea and cough. The results of spirometric testing also tend to be nonspecific. While they may help to […]

Although there are clear merits of a multicenter study with an expert panel of ILD clinicians, chest radiologists, and pulmonary pathologists, such a panel would not be able to evaluate the data as directly; in the present study, the data were evaluated at the bedside. In our study, an experienced clinician assessed both subjective (patient’s) […]

We note that the clinical diagnosis was accurate in only two thirds of cases, for both IPF and other types of ILD; however, the specificity of the clinical diagnosis of IPF was 97%. This is obviously very high and should raise the possibility that the very high specificity of the clinical diagnosis of IPF in […]

Because 85% of the patients had a nondiagnostic TBBX prior to referral to our center, the diagnosis of IPF was assumed as such by the community physicians. In fact, there was histologic confirmation of UIP in only 29 of 59 cases, and the diagnosis made on clinical grounds alone was correct in only 62% of […]

The sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis of ILD other than IPF was 88.8%, while the specificity was lower, at 40% (Fig 1). The sensitivity and specificity of a radiologic diagnosis of ILD other than IPF were significantly lower: 59% and 40%, respectively (Fig 1). The sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis of IPF was only 62%; […]

Analysis Data collected was analyzed independently (Y.N.M.) for sensitivity and specificity. Three specific areas were examined: (1) the sensitivity and specificity for ILD other than IPF; (2) the sensitivity and specificity for IPF; and (3) the PPVs and NPVs for the clinical diagnosis of ILD other than IPF. Results A total of 59 patients met […]

The chest radiographs and HRCT scans were also read independently by a senior chest radiologist (J.D.G.) who made a most likely specific diagnosis based solely on radiographic and HRCT features. To simulate a typical clinical situation, the radiologist was only aware that the chest radiographs and HRCT scans were being obtained to rule out ILD. […]