Hemosiderin-Laden Macrophages in Bronchoalveolar Lavage: Predictive Role for Acute Exacerbation of Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias

Figure 2

Kaplan–Maier curves showing the cumulative incidence of acute exacerbation (AE) in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). The median observation period from the date of bronchoalveolar lavage for the diagnosis of IIPs in total cases, IIPs with a lower hemosiderin score (HS), and the IIPs with a higher HS was 1239 days, 1214 days, and 1284 days, respectively. AE occurred significantly earlier in IIP cases with a higher HS (≥61.5; dotted line) than IIPs cases with a lower HS (<61.5; solid line, log-rank test,  = 0.026). The six-year occurrence rate of AE was 73.2% in IIPs with a higher HS and 26.1% in IIPs with a lower HS.