Table 5 Subgroup analysis for predictors of treatment response in patients with SARDs (N = 96)

Baseline inflammatory marker level

 ESR status (Cut-off level: High vs. Low-normal)

  • Total N = 80

1.45 (0.59–3.52)

0.413

1.60 (0.60–4.25)

0.346

  • Exclude discordant case to CRP *N = 61

1.94 (0.69–5.51)

0.212

3.00 (0.82–10.96)

0.097

 CRP status (Cut-off level: High vs. Low-normal)

  • Total N = 87

1.81 (0.75–4.33)

0.187

2.50 (0.92–6.79)

0.073

  • Exclude discordant case to ESR *N = 68

1.87 (0.69–5.01)

0.215

2.26 (0.75–6.81)

0.148

Age

1.02 (0.99–1.05)

0.182

1.03 (0.99–1.06)

0.133

Gender

0.83 (0.36–1.89)

0.656

1.02 (0.41–2.50)

0.967

Duration of anti-inflammatory treatment (at response evaluation)

0.98 (0.95–1.01)

0.140

0.98 (0.95–1.01)

0.268

Antifibrotics in combination with anti-inflammatory treatment

1.41 (0.39–5.20)

0.601

1.08 (0.26–4.42)

0.971

Baseline PFT

 FVC (%predicted) *N = 95

0.98 (0.96-1.00)

0.064

0.98 (0.95–0.99)

0.048

 DLCO (%predicted) *N = 85

0.99 (0.97–1.01)

0.359

1.01 (0.98–1.04)

0.581

Progression before initiate treatment

 Meet any of the criteria

1.94 (0.81–4.65)

0.139

1.43 (0.56–3.65)

0.451

 PPF by ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT 2022

1.35 (0.50–3.63)

0.555

1.13 (0.39–3.19)

0.822

 PF-ILD by INBUILD criteria

2.04 (0.83–4.99)

0.120

1.57 (0.61–4.03)

0.352

Baseline HRCT

 • UIP pattern (typical & probable UIP)

1.03 (0.26–4.12)

0.965

0.90 (0.214–3.78)

0.884

 • Indeterminate UIP

1.58 (0.14-18)

0.714

2.49 (0.20–30.5)

0.476

 • f-NSIP

0.76 (0.15–3.99)

0.751

0.73 (0.13–4.10)

0.719