CLINICAL AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF UIP AND NSIP DIAGNOSED BY HIGH RESOLUTION CT

Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) and Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP) are major subtypes of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, distinguishable by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and associated clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Aim of the study: To evaluate clinical and sociodemographic features of patients with UIP and NSIP and investigate associations with HRCT-diagnosed disease type. Material and Methods: A retrospective study included 70 patients with UIP and NSIP attending the University Clinic of Pulmonology and Allergology, Skopje, between 2022 and 2024. HRCT was performed using a 128-slice PHILIPS INCISIVE CT scanner with a thoracic protocol. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded. Results: NSIP patients were younger than UIP patients (61.1 ± 14.1 vs. 66.8 ± 8.5 years; p = 0.039). Female predominance was observed in both groups, likely due to inclusion of connective tissue disease-associated ILD. Former smoking was more common in UIP (67.5% vs. 36.7%; p = 0.01), while current smoking and cumulative exposure were similar. Time since smoking cessation was longer in NSIP patients (14.0 ± 9.2 vs. 7.6 ± 10.8 years; p = 0.029). Cough and dyspnea were frequent in both groups, with no significant differences in MRC dyspnea scores (p = 0.24). Comorbidities were present in 66.7% of NSIP and 70% of UIP patients (p = 0.77). Conclusion: HRCT with clinical and sociodemographic data is essential for differentiating UIP from NSIP, with age and former smoking as key distinguishing factors, while symptoms and comorbidities were similar.