[Clinical, radiologic and functional changes in the respiratory system and changes in cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

The course of the pulmonary fibrosis is difficult to estimate as there are no diagnostic tests specific and sensitive enough to assess disease activity. Together 33 patients with pulmonary fibrosis have been studied. They have been divided into 2 subgroups, depending on the intensity of clinical, radiologic, and functional disorders. In all patients bronchoalveolar lavage has been carried out, and the obtained results have been compared with those in 18 healthy individuals. Changes in the cellular composition of BAL fluid had polymorphic character. In the early phase of the disease, only percentage of lymphocytes in BAL fluid has been increased significantly whereas in the more advanced stage percentage of both neutrophils and eosinophils has also been significantly increased. The use of several parameters simultaneously helps to evaluate pulmonary fibrosis.