title: A chest radiograph scoring system in adult cystic fibrosis: correlation with pulmonary function.
abstract: The Birmingham scoring system for chest radiographs was assessed in 40 adult cystic fibrosis patients, with particular reference to correlation with pulmonary function values. Forty 'initial' and forty 'follow-up' chest radiographs were scored. The mean initial age of the group was 17.5 +/- 5.0 years, and the mean age at follow-up was 23.3 +/- 5.3 years. The cross-sectional radiographic score correlated significantly with the values of three commonly measured, pulmonary function parameters (r = 0.65, 0.67, 0.58, P less than 0.0001). There was a significant correlation (r = 0.64, P less than 0.0001), between the change in radiographic score, and the change in percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%). There was a less significant correlation (r = 0.45, P less than 0.006) between the change in radiographic score and the change in per cent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%). We conclude that the Birmingham radiographic scoring system is suitable for quantitative radiological evaluation in adult cystic fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: O'Laoide
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fahy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: M X
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Masterson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology