Chest X-ray features in patients with severe autoimmune disease receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy

Abstract

The aim was to analyze chest X-ray changes in patients with severe autoimmune disease undergoing long-term immunosuppressive therapy and positive immunological tests for tuberculosis.
Materials and methods. Chest X-rays were analyzed in 59 patients with severe autoimmune disease referred to the Saratov Regional Clinical Tuberculosis Dispensary for examination due to positive immunological tests for tuberculosis.
Results. The study group showed a high frequency (49.2%) of lung tissue changes based on radiographic examination data, primarily of a nonspecific nature (pneumatization disorders - 11.9%, interstitial lung lesions - 11.9%), as well as post-tuberculous changes (15.3%). The highest frequency of detection of radiographic changes (pathological shadows) in the lungs was found in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (44.5% and 31.3%, respectively). The frequency of detection of interstitial lesions and pulmonary tissue pneumatization disorders depended on the duration of the underlying disease and was higher in patients with a disease duration of more than 5 years.