Prognostic effects of clinical and CT imaging features on critically ill patients with interstitial lung disease hospitalized in respiratory intensive care unit

The study aimed to evaluate the clinical and imaging features of critically ill patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) treated in respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) and assess the prognostic effects of these factors. A total of 160 severe ILD patients admitted to the RICU were finally enrolled in this study. The clinical, imaging and follow-up data of them were studied retrospectively. The in-hospital mortality and total mortality were 43.1% and 63.8% respectively. By multivariate cox regression analysis, shock (OR = 2.39, P = 0.004), pulmonary fibrosis on CT (OR = 2.85, P = 0.002) and non-invasive ventilation (OR = 1.86, P = 0.037) were harmful factors to survivals of critically ill patients with ILD. In contrast, oxygenation index (OR = 0.99, P = 0.028), conventional oxygen therapy (OR = 0.59, P = 0.048) and beta-lactam antibiotics use (OR = 0.51, P = 0.004) were protective factors. There is significant difference of survivals between patients with and without fibrosing ILD on CT (Log-rank, p = 0.001). The prognosis of critically ill patients with ILD was poor. Shock, respiratory failure and fibrosing signs on chest CT affected the prognosis. Chest CT was considered as a valuable tool to indicate the prognosis.