The diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism is based on the clinical probability, use of D-dimer (when available) and imaging. The main imaging modalities used in the diagnosis are ventilation-perfusion (V/Q), angiography, and computed tomography (CT). In the last decade several studies have demonstrated that spiral CT has a high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism. The evaluation of the pulmonary arteries has further improved with the recent introduction of multidetector spiral CT scanners. Various investigators have suggested that spiral CT pulmonary angiography should replace scintigraphy in the assessment of patients whose symptoms are suggestive of acute PE. This article discusses the role of the various imaging modalities in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism with emphasis on the role of spiral CT.

Keywords: Diagnostic imaging. Pulmonary embolism./diagnosis. Angiography. Lung diseases/radionuclide imaging. Tomography, emission-computed single-photon/methods.

Objective: To report the experience of a routine follow-up program based on medical visits and chest CT. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving patients followed after complete surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer between April of 2007 and December of 2015. The follow-up program consisted of clinical examination and chest CT. Each follow-up visit was classified as a routine or non-routine consultation, and patients were considered symptomatic or asymptomatic. The outcomes of the follow-up program were no evidence of cancer, recurrence, or second primary lung cancer. Results: The sample comprised 148 patients. The median time of follow-up was 40.1 months, and 74.3% of the patients underwent fewer chest CTs than those recommended in our follow-up program. Recurrence and second primary lung cancer were found in 17.6% and 11.5% of the patients, respectively. Recurrence was diagnosed in a routine medical consultation in 69.2% of the cases, 57.7% of the patients being asymptomatic. Second primary lung cancer was diagnosed in a routine medical appointment in 94.1% of the cases, 88.2% of the patients being asymptomatic. Of the 53 patients who presented with abnormalities on chest CT, 41 (77.3%) were diagnosed with cancer. Conclusion: Most of the cases of recurrence, especially those of second primary lung cancer, were confirmed by chest CT in asymptomatic patients, indicating the importance of a strict follow-up program that includes chest CTs after surgical resection of lung cancer.

Keywords: Lung neoplasms/surgery; Neoplasm recurrence, local; Neoplasms, second primary.

Munchhausen syndrome results from a psychiatric disorder in which patients attempt to demonstrate signs and symptoms of serious organic diseases. In a review of the literature, we found 23 cases of Munchhausen syndrome accompanied by factitious hemoptysis, 2 presenting the same mechanism described herein. We report the case of a 23-year-old male with a recent history of multiple hospital admissions for investigation of bloody sputum, although no conclusive diagnosis had been made. Upon insistent questioning the patient admitted to aspirating his own blood with a syringe, holding it in his mouth and eliminating it in order to simulate hemoptysis. Munchhausen syndrome should be considered in patients presenting hemoptysis of obscure etiology.

Keywords: Munchhausen syndrome. Factitious hemoptysis. Diagnosis

Objective: To study the clinical, epidemiological, radiographic and endoscopic features of individuals with tuberculous pneumonia. Methods: We evaluated 2,828 consecutive tuberculosis patients treated at a public health center between December of 2005 and February of 2007. Of those, 59 (2.1%) had pulmonary involvement consistent with fistula between a lymph node and a bronchus. Results: Of the 59 patients studied, 43 (73%) were between 20 and 50 years of age, 31 (53%) were male, and 28 (47%) were Black. The most common symptoms were cough (in 100%), fever (in 88%), expectoration (in 81%), and weight loss (in 40%). Comorbidities were reported in 35 cases (59%), the most common being HIV infection (in 20%) and diabetes (in 15%). On chest X-rays, consolidation was observed, predominantly in the upper lobes (in 68%). The diagnostic confirmation (identification of AFB) was made through the sputum smear microscopy in the majority of the cases and by bronchoscopy (BAL examination or bronchial biopsy) in the remainder. Bronchial lesions were clearly indicative or suggestive of fistula in three cases and five cases, respectively. Conclusions: Tuberculous pneumonia presents as acute respiratory infection, initiating with a dry cough that is followed by fever. Chest X-rays show alveolar consolidation. In most cases, tuberculous pneumonia was accompanied by at least one comorbid condition, the most common being HIV infection, and the etiological diagnosis was made through sputum smear microscopy for AFB. Bronchoscopy findings were indicative of bronchial fistula in eight cases (13%).

Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Pneumonia; Bronchial fistula; Lymph nodes.

Objective: To evaluate clinical features of malformations of lung and mediastinum. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 51 patients with malformations identified in the author's division between 1982 and 1997. They verified the clinical manifestations, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. Results: The most frequent anomaly was esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (12), followed by vascular ring (11), congenital lobar emphysema (7), diaphragmatic hernia/eventration (7), bronchogenic cyst (5), pulmonary hypoplasia (4), pulmonary sequestration (3), and arterial-venous fistula (2). Age at diagnosis varied from birth to 10 years. Most of them exhibited symptoms at first month, some even at birth. The main respiratory symptoms were tachypnea, coughing, retractions, dyspnea, wheezing, pneumonia and rales. Chest X-rays with barium swallow were most important for diagnosis. When chest radiology was inconclusive, CT scans were next in achieving diagnosis. Surgical intervention was the effective treatment in 86% of cases. Conclusions: Lung and mediastinal congenital malformations with respiratory symptoms require adequate diagnostic evaluation and immediate intervention. The most frequent respiratory symptoms were coughing and tachypnea and chest X-rays with barium swallow was the main diagnostic method. Survival is good and mortality is secondary to associated malformations.

Keywords: Bronchopulmonary malformations. Respiratory distress. Retrospective studies.

The authors describe the case of a 54 year-old female with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea at the cricoid level upon whom extensive surgical resection was performed, including the larynx, part of the trachea and esophagus. Reconstruction of the digestive tract was done by means of a gastric tube and the airway with a mediastinal tracheostomy. Five years after the original procedure there was a local cutaneous recurrence which was removed. Seven years later the disease recurred in the mediastinum, which responded to irradiation. The patient is alive and well eight years and five months after the operation.

Keywords: Trachea. Neoplasm. Carcinoma, adenoid cystic. Tracheostomy.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a worldwide concern but its magnitude in the state of Ceará - Northeastern Brazil has been so far unknown. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of MDR-TB among us as well as the sesceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to antituberculosis drugs. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using 1,500 susceptibility tests (ST) for rifampin (RFM), isoniazid (INH), streptomycin (SM), pyrazinamide (PYZ), ethambutol (ETM) and ethionamide (ETH) that were performed at the Central Laboratory of the State of Ceará (LACEN) between 1990 and 1999. The proportion method test was used. Results: Of the 1,500 stains studied, 404 (27%) were resistant to at least one drug, including both primary and acquired resistance. MDR-TB, defined as resistance to at least rifampin and isoniazid was observed in 266 (17.7%) patients. During the study period, there were 41,073 TB cases and MDR-TB prevalence was 0.65% in our state. Among the patients studied, 62.3% were men and mean age was 40.17 ± 14.62. Overall prevalence for single-drug resistance was 8.1% (INH = 5.7%; SM = 1.5%; and RFP = 0.9%). Resistance to 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 drugs was, respectively, 10.8%; 3.1%; 0.9%; 1.5%; and 2.9%. HIV testing was performed in all inpatients and some outpatients (total of 86 patients) and revealed that they were all HIV negative. The probability of 5-year survival (138 patients assessed) was greater in the MDR-TB group treated with alternative drugs, including the patients of the failure group. Conclusion: The MDR-TB prevalence rate found in this study is intermediate in comparison with those reported in Brazil and the other parts of the world. Preventive approaches, early diagnosis and the development of effective, safe and relatively inexpensive new drugs should be stimulated.

Keywords: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Prevalence. Survival probability.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer. More people die each year of bronchial carcinoma than of colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined. More than 50% of the patients will have distant metastases at diagnosis and only 20-25% of these will be localized and potentially resectable, with a five-year survival of 14%. Prior chest radiographs and sputum cytology studies lead to clinically meaningful improvements in stage distribution, resectability and survival, but no disease-specific mortality reductions have been demonstrated. More recently, these techniques have evolved to those of screening by low-dose spiral computed tomography and by the use of specific biomarkers for early detection, thus bringing back interest in lung cancer screening. The authors review screening for lung cancer made in the past, analyze more recent prospective studies, and the prospects for the future, and they point to their main limitations, methodological problems in design, major biases, all of which may invalidate the interpretation of results.

Background: Lung volume reduction surgery is an alternative treatment for advanced pulmonary emphysema. Radiological evaluation of the type and distribution of emphysema, together with the results of pulmonary function testing, seem to be the main criteria used in deciding whether or not the procedure is indicated. Objective: To determine the extent of scientific evidence available regarding the radiological profile of the ideal candidate for lung volume reduction surgery. Method: A systematic review of the literature from January 1994 to January 2004 using the following databases: MEDLINE, EMbase, LILACS, The Cochrane Library and EBM Reviews. Results: Of 208 articles identified, 16 met the study criteria. Two were randomized (one multicentric, named the 'National Emphysema Treatment Trial' and including 1218 patients, and the other including only 30 patients). The other 14 articles were observational studies. The National Emphysema Treatment Trial identified a subgroup of patients with favorable prognoses when submitted to lung volume reduction surgery. This group consisted of patients with advanced heterogeneous pulmonary emphysema with upper lobe predominance, diffuse pulmonary distention and low exercise capacity. The pattern of the results obtained in the remainder of the studies was consistent with the individual analyses, despite their heterogeneity. In the observational studies, surgical benefit, mortality rates and quality of life were assessed. Conclusion: The radiological pattern, characterized by the type, heterogeneity, distribution and diffuse distention, together with the degree of emphysema severity, represents the main predictor of a positive surgical outcome. Due to the paucity of studies in the literature, this is a grade B recommendation.

Keywords: Pulmonary emphysema. Lung surgery. Tomography X-ray computed. Review.

Tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis is a therapeutic measure for the prevention of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis or to avoid development of the disease in individuals already infected with it. Isoniazid is the most commonly used therapy; however, the use of rifampicin and pyrazinamide has recently been introduced. The objectives of this study were to review the results of the principal studies evaluating the indications for chemoprophylaxis with isoniazid alone and in association with other drugs, its efficacy in the prevention of tuberculosis with respect to the different risk groups and the alternative regimens available. A systematic revision of the medical literature was carried out with particular emphasis on clinical trials and meta-analyses. Official records were also consulted. Those studies involving randomized clinical trials on the use of isoniazid, rifampicin or pyrazinamide in HIV-positive or negative patients were selected. Isoniazid continues to be effective for the prevention of tuberculosis in populations of both HIV-negative and HIV-positive individuals. The standard dose of 5-15 mg/kg/day has shown similar protection over treatment periods ranging from six to twelve months. The risk of developing hepatitis was less than 1%; however monitoring during treatment is recommended in patients over 35 years of age and in users of alcohol. Studies involving treatment regimens with other forms of medication were inconclusive and new studies would have to be performed to evaluate the efficacy of these regimens in populations at high risk of developing tuberculosis.

Keywords: Tuberculosis. Chemoprophylaxis. Isoniazid.

Background - The critical donor shortage in pediatric pulmonary transplantation has prompted lobar transplantation from living-related. However, in the case of great size discrepancy between the adult donor and the small child recipient, a pulmonary segment or medium lobe represents grafts with restricted vascular bed. The authors hypothesized that this type of graft may develop pulmonary hypertension in the recipient by the end of the growth period. Methods - This hypothesis was investigated in a porcine survival model of lung transplantation in piglets. There were three groups for comparison purposes: I (n = 4) - transplantation of the upper lobe from an adult donor, graft being proportional to the recipient but irrigated by two arterial rami only; II (n = 5) - transplantation of the lower lobe from an adult donor, graft being oversized to the recipient and having adequate vascular bed; III (n = 6) - transplantation of immature lung, from matched-sized donor. Graft function was studied three months after the transplantation, when the growth period was completed. Results - The pulmonary artery pressure of grafts in group I (51.8 ± 2.1 mmHg) was increased compared to that of group II (40.4 ± 2.5 mmHg) and of group III (34.8 ± 1.5 mmHg), reaching statistical significance (p = 0.0003). Conclusions - The lobar graft proportional to the recipient, with restricted vascular bed, had hampered hemodynamic performance in the growing animal. These results suggest that graft proportionality should be secondary to an adequate vascular bed.

Keywords: Lung transplantation. Lobar transplantation, experimental. Swine.

A comparative study to evaluate contamination in cultures of morning sputum samples, comparing those collected at home under currently recommended conditions and those collected under supervision after patient orientation and education. The home and supervised collection groups produced 43 and 76 sputum samples, respectively. The contamination rate was nearly 3-times higher among samples collected at home than among those collected under supervision (37% vs. 13%, p < 0.05; OR = 0.25). The simple educational and hygiene measures described can decrease the contamination rate among sputum samples collected for diagnostic culture.

Keywords: Tuberculosis/diagnosis; Sputum/microbiology; Culture techniques.

BACKGROUND: In agreement with other reported studies, wehad previously found a possible association between gender and prognosis in stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), showing a higher survival rate among females. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to further clarify the role of gender as a possible prognostic factor in NSCLC. METHOD: In a retrospective cohort study, we examined the survival of 163 NSCLC patients who underwent curative surgical treatment at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) Hospital between 1990 and 1997. Data was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier plots. Additionally, we used the Mann-Whitney test for comparing group survival rates and the Cox regression model to adjust for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Were included 124 (76.07%) males and 39 (23.93%) females, whose median survival was of 32.3 and 60.6 months, respectively. The 5-year survival was 38.0% for men and 55.4% for women (P=0.030). Considering only stage I patients, survival rates were 44.4% and 81.8% for men and women, respectively (P=0.009). Effect of gender continued after adjustment for several factors (age, hemoglobin, histology, tumor size, type of surgery and postoperative complications). CONCLUSION: This study confirms our previous findings that women live longer after NSCLC surgery when compared to men. This result is only observed at an early stage and persists after adjustment of several factorsP

Keywords: Carcinoma, bronchogenic [surgery]; Carcinoma, bronchogenic [epidemiolgy]; Prognosis; Sex distribution; Disease - free survival.

Objective: To compare two thoracotomy closure techniques (pericostal and transcostal suture) in terms of postoperative pain and pulmonary function. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study carried out in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Luzia de Pinho Melo Hospital das Clínicas and at the University of Mogi das Cruzes, both located in the city of Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. We included 30 patients (18-75 years of age) undergoing posterolateral or anterolateral thoracotomy. The patients were randomized into two groups by the type of thoracotomy closure: pericostal suture (PS; n = 16) and transcostal suture (TS; n = 14). Pain intensity during the immediate and late postoperative periods was assessed by a visual analogic scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Spirometry variables (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, and PEF) were determined in the preoperative period and on postoperative days 21 and 60. Results: Pain intensity was significantly greater in the PS group than in the TS group. Between the preoperative and postoperative periods, there were decreases in the spirometry variables studied. Those decreases were significant in the PS group but not in the TS group. Conclusions: The patients in the TS group experienced less immediate and late post-thoracotomy pain than did those in the PS group, as well as showing smaller reductions in the spirometry parameters. Therefore, transcostal suture is recommended over pericostal suture as the thoracotomy closure technique of choice.

Keywords: Thoracic surgery; Suture techniques; Acute pain.

The objective of this new Brazilian consensus is to update and to continue the standardization of the principal terms and fundamental patterns in chest CT scans in Portuguese. There is a succinct definition of the principal terms used to describe chest CT findings, as well as illustrations of classic examples. The group of authors comprised radiologists specializing in chest radiology and holding membership in the Brazilian College of ­Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, as well as pulmonologists having a special interest in diagnostic imaging and holding membership in the Brazilian Thoracic Association.

Keywords: Lung; Consensus; Tomography.

Background: Although the prevalence of smoking among medical students declined steadily between the 1960s and 1980s, it seems to have stabilized in recent years. Objectives: To evaluate temporal trends, over the last 17 years, in the smoking habits of medical students at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and to identify some possible risk factors for smoking. Method: Cross-sectional surveys with comparable methodologies were conducted in 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2002. Self-administered questionnaires were used. Smokers were defined as those who were smoking at least one cigarette per day for at least one month. Descriptive analyses were carried out, as well as crude evaluations using chi-square tests for heterogeneity and linear trend. In addition, Poisson regression, adjusted for age, was used in order to evaluate the effect of medical school class year on the incidence of smoking. Results: The prevalence of smoking among UFPel medical students was 10.1%, statistically similar to values found in 1991 and 1996. No differences in smoking frequency were found relating to sex, age, or parental smoking. The prevalence of smoking was found to increase progressively over the course of medical school. Conclusions: The downward trend in smoking prevalence among UFPel medical students is being replaced by a stable rate of approximately 10-15%. Anti-smoking campaigns are still necessary in university environments, especially in medical schools.

Keywords: Smoking/trends. Smoking/epidemiology. Medical students/tobacco use cessation. Cross-sectional studies. Questionnaires.

Objective: To determine the principal adverse effects of the tuberculosis treatment regimen recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Methods: A prospective descriptive study involving 79 tuberculosis patients treated at the Clinical Research Center of the Cassiano Antonio Moraes University Hospital, in the city of Vitória, Brazil, between 2003 and 2006. The treatment regimen consisted of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol for four months, followed by rifampicin and isoniazid for two months. During the treatment period, the patients were clinically evaluated every week and had a monthly medical visit. Results: The overall incidence of adverse effects was 83.54%. Articular/bone/muscle involvement was the most common, followed by skin involvement (24.94% and 22.09%, respectively). Adverse effects were more common in the second month of treatment (41.59%). Modification of the treatment regimen was unnecessary. One patient required concomitant medication to counter the adverse effects. The cure rate was 100%. Conclusions: The overall incidence of adverse effects related to the new treatment regimen recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health was high. However, none of those effects demanded a change in the regimen, which was effective in the patients evaluated.

Keywords: Treatment outcome;Tuberculosis; Antitubercular agents; Adverse drug reaction reporting systems.

Objective: To investigate the correlation of HRCT findings with pulmonary metabolic activity in the corresponding regions using 18F-FDG PET/CT and inflammatory markers in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 23 adult patients with SSc-associated ILD without other connective tissue diseases. The study also involved 18F-FDG PET/CT, HRCT, determination of serum chemokine levels, clinical data, and pulmonary function testing. Results: In this cohort of patients with long-term disease (disease duration, 11.8 ± 8.7 years), a nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern was found in 19 (82.6%). Honeycombing areas had higher median standardized uptake values (1.95; p = 0.85). Serum levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 were higher in SSc patients than in controls. Serum levels of CCL2-a marker of fibroblast activity-were correlated with pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) areas on HRCT scans (p = 0.007). 18F-FDG PET/CT showed significant metabolic activity for all HRCT patterns. The correlation between serum CCL2 levels and GGO on HRCT scans suggests a central role of fibroblasts in these areas, adding new information towards the understanding of the mechanisms surrounding cellular and molecular elements and their expression on HRCT scans in patients with SSc-associated ILD. Conclusions: 18F-FDG PET/CT appears to be unable to differentiate the intensity of metabolic activity across HRCT patterns in chronic SSc patients. The association between CCL2 and GGO might be related to fibroblast activity in these areas; however, upregulated CCL2 expression in the lung tissue of SSc patients should be investigated in order to gain a better understanding of this association.

Keywords: Tomography; Lung diseases, interstitial; Scleroderma, systemic; Cytokines.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of the eosinophilic and allergic phenotypes of severe asthma in Brazil, as well as to investigate the clinical characteristics of severe asthma patients in the country. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adult patients diagnosed with severe asthma and managed at specialized centers in Brazil. The study was conducted in 2019. Results: A total of 385 patients were included in the study. Of those, 154 had a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 and 231 had a blood eosinophil count of = 300 cells/mm3. The median age was 54.0 years, and most of the patients were female, with a BMI of 29.0 kg/m2 and a history of allergy (81.6%). The prevalence of patients with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 was 40.0% (95% CI: 35.1-44.9), and that of those with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 and a history of allergy was 31.9% (95% CI: 27.3-36.6). Age and BMI showed positive associations with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 (OR = 0.97, p < 0.0001; and OR = 0.96, p = 0.0233, respectively), whereas the time elapsed since the onset of asthma symptoms showed an increased association with a blood eosinophil count > 300 cells/mm3 (OR = 1.02, p = 0.0011). Conclusions: This study allowed us to characterize the population of severe asthma patients in Brazil, showing the prevalence of the eosinophilic phenotype (in 40% of the sample). Our results reveal the relevance of the eosinophilic phenotype of severe asthma at a national level, contributing to increased effectiveness in managing the disease and implementing public health strategies.

Keywords: Asthma; Epidemiology; Eosinophils; Phenotype; Allergy and immunology.

Objective: To evaluate clinical predictors of poor sleep quality in COPD patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Consecutive stable patients with COPD were evaluated for OSA by means of overnight polysomnography; for sleep quality by means of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); and for disease impact by means of the COPD Assessment Test. COPD severity was graded in accordance with the 2020 GOLD guidelines. Predictors of poor sleep quality were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: We studied 51 patients with COPD alone and 51 patients with COPD and OSA. Both groups had similar age (66.2 ± 9.2 years vs. 69.6 ± 10.7, p = 0.09) and airflow limitation (p = 0.37). Poor sleep quality was present in 74.8% of the study participants, with no significant difference between COPD patients with and without OSA regarding PSQI scores (p = 0.73). Polysomnography showed increased stage 1 non-rapid eye movement sleep and arousal index, as well as reduced sleep efficiency and stage 3 non-rapid eye movement sleep, in the group of patients with COPD and OSA (p < 0.05). Independent predictors of poor sleep quality were GOLD grade C/D COPD (OR = 6.4; 95% CI, 1.79-23.3; p < 0.01), a COPD Assessment Test score = 10 (OR = 12.3; 95% CI, 4.1-36.5; p < 0.01), and lowest SaO2 < 80% (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Poor sleep quality is quite common in patients with COPD and is associated with severe COPD and poor health status, having a negative impact on overall quality of life. Despite changes in polysomnography, OSA appears to have no impact on subjective sleep quality in COPD patients.

Keywords: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Sleep Quality; Sleep apnea, obstructive; Health status.

Objective: To investigate the reliability, internal consistency and validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the University of California San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD SOBQ) in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods: Patients with ILD completed the questionnaire at three different time points, one week apart, with the assistance of two independent assessors. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were analysed via the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Internal consistency was assessed with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. For the validity analysis, associations between variables were assessed with Spearman's or Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Thirty patients with ILD (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, asbestosis or non-specific interstitial pneumonia) were included (15 men; mean age, 59 ± 10 years; DLCO: 46 [33-64] % predicted). UCSD SOBQ scores showed excellent agreement and internal consistency in the intra-rater analysis (ICC: 0.93 [0.85-0.97]; Cronbach alpha: 0.95) and in the inter-rater analysis (ICC: 0.95 [0.89-0.97]; Cronbach alpha: 0.95), as well as correlating significantly with dyspnoea (as assessed by the Medical Research Council scale; r = 0.56); Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey domains bodily pain, general health, vitality and physical functioning (-0.40 = r = -0.74); six-minute walk distance (r = -0.38); and quadriceps muscle strength (r = -0.41). Conclusions: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the UCSD SOBQ is valid, is reliable and has internal consistency in patients with ILD in Brazil.

Keywords: Lung diseases, interstitial; Dyspnea; Surveys and questionnaires.