HRCT score in bronchiectasis: Correlation with pulmonary function tests and pulmonary artery pressure

BACKGROUND: High-resolution CT scan (HRCT) and its score have an important role in delineating pathological changes and pulmonary functional impairment in patients with bronchiectasis. AIMS: To assess pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with cystic and cylindrical bronchiectasis. To correlate HRCT score with PFTs and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) in both radiological types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of patients with bronchiectasis diagnosed by HRCT was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. PFTs, HRCT score, and SPAP were measured in both types. RESULTS: We studied 94 patients with bronchiectasis; 62 were cystic and 32 were cylindrical. Their mean age was 53.4 +/- 17.5 SD years. Forced vital capacity (FVC%) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%) were significantly lower in cystic patients (P < 0.0001) as compared with cylindrical patients; and diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO%) was also significantly lower (P < 0.01). In the cystic group, PaO(2) was significantly lower; and PaCO(2'), higher (P < 0.0001). HRCT score was correlated with FEV1% (r = -0.51). HRCT score was significantly lower in the cystic group (P = 0.002) and correlated with SPAP (r = 0.23). Global HTCT score of 10.3 +/- 2.5 was associated with SPAP >= 40 mm Hg (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Patients, with cystic bronchiectasis have significantly higher impairment of pulmonary physiology as compared with those with cylindrical bronchiectasis. HRCT score correlated with PFTs and SPAP.