Pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computed tomography findings and inflammatory bowel disease

AIM: The association between inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary involvement has not been clearly established. The aim of this prospective study was to define the features of pulmonary function tests and high resolution computed tomography in inflammatory bowel disease patients and the relation between these and disease activity. METHOD: Fifty-two patients with inflammatory bowel disease (20 with Crohn's disease and 32 with ulcerative colitis) were enrolled. The standard pulmonary function tests and thorax high resolution computed tomography findings were investigated with respect to inflammatory bowel disease activity. Crohn's disease activity index and the Rachmilewitz endoscopic activity index for ulcerative colitis were used to assess disease activity. Medications used and smoking status were also documented. RESULTS: Among the patients with ulcerative colitis, 6.25% had an obstructive and/or restrictive ventilatory defect compared with 25% of the patients with Crohn's disease. Fifty percent of the patients with ulcerative colitis and 60% of the patients with Crohn's disease showed abnormal findings in high resolution computed tomography. Pulmonary function tests and high resolution computed tomography abnormalities did not differ significantly between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. No significant difference related to inflammatory bowel disease activity was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings of high resolution computed tomography and the pulmonary function tests did not differ between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Bowel disease activity did not seem to affect these measurements.