The relationship betvveen pulmonary function tests and high resolution computerized tomography in Behcet’s patients

Objective: Comparison of the respiratory functions were aimed in this study in female Behcet’s patients whether with or without pathological pulmonary lesions according to high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) evalutions. Methods: 29 female patients aged between 19 to 54 (average 37.0 ± 9.5) years and as control group 20 healthy female aged 19 to 50 (40.5 ± 8.3)years were taken into the study. Patients and control group individuals were physically inspected, HRCT films were taken and pulmonary function tests (PFT) through a spirometer were determined. Patients were divided into two group according to HRCT results as HRCT (+) and HRCT (-). HRCT (+) group patients (n=11) vvere aged 28 to 54 (average 39.9 ± 8.1)years and HRCT (-) group (n=18) vvere 19 to 50 (aver­ age 35.2 ± 10.1) years. İn ali groups the determinations of FVC, FEVj, PEp25-75%’ PEF, VC, RV, FRC, DLCO and DLCO/VA values vvere performed. Analysis of the results vvere carried out by preferred variance analysis and Tukey HSD tests. Results: A statistically important difference was not observed when the PFT values vvere compared betvveen HRCT (+) and HRCT (-) patients for the obtained results and the percentage rate to expected results. When the PFT values vvere compared for both HRCT (+) and HRCT (-) patients group with the control group separately though there was no statistical difference betvveen the best values but only a statistical decrease in DLCO/VA values (p<0.01) was observed betvveen the percentage rate to espected results. Conclusion: İt may be said that though there is a pulmonary restriction in Behcet’s disease but this restriction has no relation with respiratory functions. Thus it vvill be useful to perform pulmonary function tests in both vvith or vvithout pathological findings through HRCT evaluation in order to obtain some Information about respiratory functions of Behcet’s patients. Additionally vve presume even when the results of the pulmonary functions tests are normal though some pathological changes in HRCT should be considered HRCT investigations may be useful to follovv the disease. HRCT investigations may be useful to follovv the disease.