features

Last reviewed 07/2023

Clinical features include:

  • dyspnoea
  • cyanosis
  • clubbing
  • there may be slightly reduced chest expansion
  • there may be bronchial breathing
  • on auscultation there may be late-inspiratory and paninspiratory crackles heard over the affected lung lobules
  • there may be clinical features of an associated connective tissue disease

Lung function tests:

  • ratio of FEV1 to vital capacity is not reduced (contrasts with reduced FEV1/FVC that occurs in airways obstruction)
  • lung compliance is reduced in diffuse pulmonary fibrosis