Automated HRCT analysis beats visual reads in predicting SSc-ILD functional decline

In a retrospective study of 33 patients with systemic sclerosis ILD, automated HRCT analysis identified early ground-glass opacity increases that visual scoring missed. These early quantitative changes predicted subsequent pulmonary function decline (p=0.04), with a >50 mL GGO i…

• Design: Retrospective longitudinal study, n=33 patients with SSc-ILD who had HRCT and PFTs at baseline (T1), 1 year (T2), and repeat PFTs 12 months later (T3).
• Only automated analysis detected early GGO increase (15.5% to 15.8%, p=0.04) and correlated strongly with PFT changes; visual scoring did not predict later decline.
• Limitation: Single-center, small sample size (n=33), and the automated tool (Thoracic VCAR, GE Healthcare) has not been independently externally validated in this context.

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