A chest radiograph scoring system in adult cystic fibrosis: Correlation with pulmonary function

The Birmingham scoring system for chest radiographs was assessed in 40 adult cystic fibrosis patients, with particular reference to correlation with pulmonary function values. Forty ‘initial' and forty ‘follow-up' chest radiographs were scored. The mean initial age of the group was 17.5±5.0 years, and the mean age at follow-up was 23.3±5.3 years. The cross-sectional radiographic score correlated significantly with the values of three commonly measured, pulmonary function parameters ( r =0.65, 0.67, 0.58, P r =0.64, P r =0.45, P 1 %). We conclude that the Birmingham radiographic scoring system is suitable for quantitative radiological evaluation in adult cystic fibrosis.