Performance of a diagnostic algorithm for fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A case-control study

Background The differential diagnosis fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) versus idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is important but challenging. Recent diagnostic guidelines for HP emphasize including multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) in the diagnostic process, however MDD is not comprehensively available. We aimed to establish the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic validity of a previously proposed HP diagnostic algorithm that foregoes MDD. Methods We tested the algorithm in patients with an MDD diagnosis of fibrotic HP or IPF (case control study) and determined diagnostic test performances for diagnostic confidences of >= 90% and >= 70%. Prognostic validity was established using Cox proportional hazards models. Results Thirty-one patients with fibrotic HP and 50 IPF patients were included. The algorithm-derived >= 90% confidence level for HP had high specificity (0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-0.99), but low sensitivity (0.35 [95%CI 0.19-0.55], J-index 0.29). Test performance was improved for the >= 70% confidence level (J-index 0.64) with a specificity of 0.90 (95%CI 0.78-0.97), and a sensitivity of 0.74 (95%CI 0.55-0.88). MDD fibrotic HP diagnosis was strongly associated with lower risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.10 [0.01-0.92], p = 0.04), whereas the algorithm-derived >= 70% and >= 90% confidence diagnoses were not significantly associated with survival (adjusted HR 0.37 [0.07-1.80], p = 0.22, and adjusted HR 0.41 [0.05-3.25], p = 0.39, respectively). Conclusion The algorithm-derived >= 70% diagnostic confidence had satisfactory test performance for MDD-HP diagnosis, with insufficient sensitivity for >= 90% confidence. The lowest risk of death in the MDD-derived HP diagnosis validates the reference standard and suggests that a diagnostic algorithm not including MDD, might not replace the latter.

Automated summary

The study confirmed the diagnostic accuracy of an algorithm for fibrotic HP diagnosis which does not require multidisciplinary discussion, showing high specificity but low sensitivity. The association between MDD-derived HP diagnosis and lower risk of death was strong.