Clinical characteristics, serological and BAL data, radiological and scintigraphic findings in SSc patients (n=73)
| Clinical and demographic characteristics | |
|---|---|
| male/female | 16/57 |
| mean (SD) age | 54.4 (9.6) |
| median duration of SSc (range) | 5.0 years (2–17) |
| cigarette smokers | 9 (12%) |
| past smokers | 12 (16%) |
| dyspnea | 57 (78%) |
| dry cough | 40 (55%) |
| crackles | 35 (47%) |
| Serological data | |
| anti-nuclear antibodies | 66 (90%) |
| anti-Scl 70 antibodies | 32 (44%) |
| BAL data | |
| pathological BAL | 35 (48%) |
| granulocytosis | 18 (52% of pathological BAL) |
| lymphocytosis | 12 (34% of pathological BAL) |
| combined granulocytosis/lymphocytosis | 5 (14% of pathological BAL) |
| Radiological and scinigraphic findings | |
| chest radiography: alveolitis/fibrosis | 39 (53%) |
| CT: alveolitis/fibrosis | 51 (70%) |
| increased 67 gallium uptake | 23 (31%) |