AE tended to develop in male patients more often compared to female patients (p = 0.07). AE was less likely to develop in nonsmokers compared to smokers (p = 0.003). Pulmonary function test results showed more severe impairment in the AE group (total lung capacity [TLC]: AE group, 63.0 ± 16.8%; NAE group, 81.6 ± 20.0%; diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide [Dlco]: AE group, 41.9 ± 19.0%; NAE group, 60.0 ± 19.4), although no difference was observed in the duration of illness between the two groups. On HRCT scans at the time of the initial diagnosis, the ground-glass scores were lower in AE patients (p = 0.014) than in NAE patients, and fibrosis scores tended to be higher in AE patients (p = 0.122). Patients with AEs had more UIP-like lesions on histologic evaluation than did patients with NAE (p = 0.008). In findings from BAL fluid analysis, patients with AE had fewer lymphocytes and more neutrophils compared to patients with NAE (p = 0.008 and p = 0.005, respectively) (Table 2) Cheap generic viagra.

Table 2 —Profile of BAL

* Values are given as the mean ± SD, unless otherwise indicated. See Table 1 for abbreviation not used in the text.

AEs were seen in 14 patients of 100 patients (14%) with chronic BFL during the observation period. All AE patients had the insidious type of chronic BFL, and no infectious agents were identified. Survivors tended to have a high Pa0₂/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio and low lactate dehydrogenase levels (Table 3).

All 14 patients were treated with high-dose systemic corticosteroids (starting with methylpred-nisolone IV pulse, 500 to 1,000 mg/d for 3 days, then prednisolone, 0.5 to 1 mg/kg po, and gradually was tapered).