Objective To improve the awareness of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( AEIPF) and discuss its clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and outcome. Methods The clinical data of patients with AEIPF from June 2006 to June 2011 in 11 hospitals in Jiangsu were collected and analyzed. Resluts There were 18 males and 3 females in the AEIPF patients with mean age of ( 67.4 ± 8.1) years. The duration from IPF diagnosis was ( 7.4 ±8.2) months. The duration of acute symptom before admission was ( 7.0 ±5.3) days. The distribution pattern of new groud-glass opacity was peripheral in 3 patients,multifocal in 5 patients, and diffuse in13 patients. All patients were treated with corticosteroid pulse therapy. Nine patients survived and 12 patients died. The mortality rate was 57.1% . Conclusions AEIPF progresses quickly and the mortality rate is very high. Corticosteroid pulse therapy is the mainstay of therapy in AEIPF patients.
美国胸科协会(ATS)和欧洲呼吸学会(ERS)联合发表的共识中，将特发性肺纤维化(IPF)定义为原因不明并以普通型间质性肺炎(UIP)为特征性病理改变的一种慢性纤维化性间质性肺疾病。在2000年ATS／ERS的IPF共识意见 及2003年中华医学会呼吸病学分会IPF的诊断和治疗指南(草案) 中均推荐的治疗方案为糖皮质激素，或与细胞毒制剂(环磷酰胺及硫唑嘌呤)联合使用。但目前尚缺乏循证医学证据支持该治疗方案能够提高IPF患者生活质量或生存率 。近年来随着对IPF的发病机制认识的深入，越来越多的临床医师和研究者对IPF患者是否需要用糖皮质激素等药物的治疗提出了质疑。
Objective To investigate the impact and mechanisms of periostin (POSTN), Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A), and pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) on the diagnosis and disease assessment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and conduct a comparative analysis. Methods From October 2022 to October 2023, a total of 55 patients diagnosed with IPF and treated at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were enrolled as an IPF group. Additionally, 30 patients with bacterial pneumonia and 30 healthy individuals undergoing concurrent health examinations during the same period were selected as a pneumonia control group and a healthy control group, respectively. All participants underwent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure serum levels of POSTN, KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D, along with pulmonary function tests. The IPF patients also underwent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and echocardiography to quantify HRCT scores and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to analyze the significance of serum POSTN, KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D levels in IPF diagnosis. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were used to analyze the relationships between these biomarkers and pulmonary function, PASP, and HRCT scores. Results Serum concentrations of POSTN, KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D were significantly elevated in the IPF group compared with the pneumonia group and the healthy controls (P<0.05), while serum levels of SP-A and SP-D were notably higher in the pneumonia group compared with the healthy control group (P<0.05). Within the IPF group, serum POSTN levels were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in the first second as a percentage of predicted value (FEV1%pred) and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide as a percentage of predicted value (DLCO%pred) (P<0.05); KL-6 and SP-D levels were also negatively correlated with FEV1%pred, forced vital capacity as a percentage of predicted value (FVC%pred), and DLCO%pred (P<0.05); and the concentration of SP-A was negatively correlated with DLCO%pred and positively correlated with PASP (P<0.05). Additionally, serum levels of POSTN, KL-6, and SP-A in the IPF group showed significant positive associations with HRCT scores (P<0.01). Conclusions POSTN is a valuable serum biomarker for IPF, exhibiting the highest sensitivity and specificity among the four serum markers, with diagnostic performance superior to KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D. POSTN, KL-6, SP-A, and SP-D can all be used for the diagnosis and assessment of IPF.
ObjectiveAlthough evidence links idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and diabetes mellitus (DM), the exact underlying common mechanism of its occurrence is unclear. This study aims to explore further the molecular mechanism between these two diseases. MethodsThe microarray data of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify co-expression genes related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. Subsequently, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis and three public databases were employed to analyze and screen the gene targets related to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed by Metascape. In addition, common microRNAs (miRNAs), common in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus, were obtained from the Human microRNA Disease Database (HMDD), and their target genes were predicted by miRTarbase. Finally, we constructed a common miRNAs-mRNAs network by using the overlapping genes of the target gene and the shared gene. ResultsThe results of common gene analysis suggested that remodeling of the extracellular matrix might be a key factor in the interconnection of DM and IPF. Finally, hub genes (MMP1, IL1R1, SPP1) were further screened. miRNA-gene network suggested that has-let-19a-3p may play a key role in the common molecular mechanism between IPF and DM. ConclusionsThis study provides new insights into the potential pathogenic mechanisms between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes mellitus. These common pathways and hub genes may provide new ideas for further experimental studies.
ObjectiveTo determine the diagnostic value of serum KL-6 level in patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). MethodsAll the ILD patients enrolled were hospitalized from April 2013 to April 2014. Patients with other pulmonary diseases and healthy subjects were chosen as control groups simultaneously. Serum KL-6 concentrations were measured by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The association with serum KL-6 level and pulmonary function was analyzed. ResultsThere were 149 ILD patients, 155 patients with other pulmonary diseases, and 64 healthy subjects. The average serum levels of KL-6 were (1 801.86±2 831.36) U/mL, (267.00±124.41) U/mL, (201.28±81.18) U/mL in the patients with ILD, the patients with other pulmonary diseases and the healthy controls, respectively. The sensitivity and the specificity of the serum KL-6 for the diagnosis of ILD was 83.89% and 92.24% respectively when the cut-off level was set at 500 U/mL. The Kappa value was 0.767 (P < 0.001). The best cut-off value of KL-6 was 469.5 U/mL. Serum KL-6 levels in the patients with ILD were significantly higher compared with the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and the healthy controls, respectively (all P < 0.001). The KL-6 levels in the pulmonary alveolar proteinosis patients were significantly higher compared with the patients with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), the patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the patients with connective tissue disease (CTD-ILD) (all P < 0.001). While the KL-6 concentration in IPF and CTD-ILD were significantly higher than that in COP (P=0.003 and P=0.008, respectively). Significant negative correlations were found between the levels of serum KL-6 and vital capacity as a percentage of the predicted value, forced vital capacity as a percentage of the predicted value, forced expiratory volume in one second as a percentage of the predicted value and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity as a percentage of the predicted value (all P < 0.001). Follow-up study showed the levels of serum KL-6 were consistent with clinical efficacy. ConclusionSerum KL-6 level is a reliable serum marker for ILD, and is related with the severity of disease and clinical efficacy.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in Chinese patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). MethodsIn a multicenter,randomized,double-blind,comparative clinical trial,87 patients with IPF were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (43 patients) were treated with pirfenidone (1 200 mg per day) for 48 weeks,while Group B (44 patients) were treated with placebo. Clinical features were compared between two groups including efficacy indicators (pulmonary function,6MWT,and quality of life scores) and safety indicators (incidence of adverse events). ResultsForced vital capacity (FVC) was increased by (90±410)mL in Group A and decreased by (70±310)mL in Group B (P<0.05);In Group A,forced expiratory volume in 1 second was raised by (100±330)mL and (110±240)mL following 12 and 24 weeks after treatment,significantly different from group B (P<0.05). There were significant differences in 6MWT between two groups 36 and 48 weeks after treatment respectively(both P<0.05). Quality of life scores,including the St. George's score (excluding symptoms) and dyspnea score,were significantly higher in Group A than Group B (both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between Groups A and B (83.72% vs. 72.73%,P>0.05). ConclusionDomestic pirfenidone is clinically effective and safe for the treatment of IPF in Chinese patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. MethodsPubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of pirfenidone as interventions for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. According to the Cochrane system evaluation method, the methodological quality of included studies was evaluated and the effective data were extracted. The meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.2 software. ResultsSix studies were included with 1727 patients in total. Compared with placebo groups, pirfenidon could improve the changing rate of vital capacity at the end of the treatment[WMD=0.06, 95% CI (0.01, 0.12), Z=2.48, P=0.01; heterogeneity inspection χ2=1.03, P=0.31]. Pirfenidon could not improve the changing rate of lowest SpO2 in 6-minute walking test[WMD=0.82, 95% CI (-1.35, 2.98), Z=0.74, P=0.46; heterogeneity inspection χ2=8.90, P=0.003] and could not reduce the mortality[RR=0.62, 95% CI (0.37, 1.03), Z=1.85, P=0.06; heterogeneity inspection χ2=3.05, P=0.55]. The incidences of photosensitivity, dizziness, nausea, abdominal discomfort, joint pain, fatigue in pirfenidone group were more frequent than those in placebo group. ConclusionsBecause of lack of enough eligible studies and defects in design and reporting data in the studies, this meta-analysis can not evaluate pirfenidone's long-term efficacy and safety. Hence, the existed clinical evidences can't support pirfenidone to be the treatment of IPF medication.
【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the relationship between multiple tumor biomarkers and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) , and analyze the prognostic value of these biomarkers in IPF. Methods Clinical data of 43 confirmed IPF patients with no evidence of malignant disaeses, admitted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2000 and June 2010, were retrospectively analyzed. All IPF patients had detected serum alpha fetoprotein ( AFP) , cancer antigen 50 ( CA50) , cancer antigen 24-2( CA24-2) , carcinoembryonic antigen ( CEA) , carbohydrate antigen 19-9 ( CA19-9) , cancer antigen 125( CA125) , cancer antigen 15-3 ( CA15-3) , tissue polypeptide antigen ( TPA) , neuron specific enolase( NSE) , and cytokeratin-19-fragment ( Cyfra211) . Results The serum levels of CEA, CA19-9, CA125,CA15-3, and TPA were obviously higher than normal range, while the serum levels of AFP, CA50, CA24-2,NSE, and Cyfra211 were within normal range. Neither tumor biomarkers had correlation with 6-minute walk distance, FVC% pred, TLC% pred, DLCO/VA, PaO2 , PaO2 /FiO2 , P( A-a) O2 , BALF cell differentiation counting,or CD4 /CD8. The patients with increased CA19-9 level had shorter survival time than those with normal CA19-9 level ( P lt; 0. 05) . There was no significant difference in survival time between the patients with increased CEA/TPA levels and those with normal CEA/TPA levels( P gt;0. 05) , neither between the patients with glucocorticoid treatment and those with non-glucocorticoid treatment ( P gt; 0. 05) . Conclusions Multiple tumor biomarkers, especially CA19-9, increase in IPF patients. The degrees of those increases arenot associated with the severity of disease, but closely relate to prognosis, and may also indicate the progression. The increases of multiple tumor biomarkers may be a sign of poor prognosis of IPF with no evidence of malignant disaeses.
Objective To explore the prognostic significance of baseline clinical and pulmonary physiological variables on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) . Methods Patients diagnosed with IPF according to 2011 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT statementwere selected from Nanjing DrumTower Hospital between January 1, 2002 and July 31, 2010. The baseline characteristics were abstracted, including age, gender, smoking history, corticosteroid, delay before diagnosis, body mass index, finger clubbing, oxygenation index ( PaO2 /FiO2 ) , C-reaction protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR) , serum lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH) , albumin, vital capacity ( VC) , forced vital capacity ( FVC) , total lung capacity ( TLC) , and singlebreath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide ( DLCO) . The relationships between all factors and survival were examined with a univariate Cox proportional-hazard model. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the survival probabilities between groups with different baseline characteristics. Results Eighty-four patients were included in this study, with the median survival time of 34. 7 months. PaO2 /FiO2 , FVC% pred, VC% pred, TLC% pred, and DLCO% pred showed significant associations with the mortality of IPF ( hazard ratios 0. 940-0. 994, P lt; 0. 01) . The Kaplan-Meier analyses for above variables also showed significant differences ( P lt;0. 05) . Besides, the statistical difference of survival probability could be found between the patients with elevated serumLDH and those with normal LDH ( 27. 0 months vs. 43. 1 months, P =0. 014) . Conclusions Baseline oxygenation and pulmonary function parameters may indicate the prognosis of IPF patients. Serum LDH may provide clinicians with additional prognostic information.
Objective To investigate the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome ( OSAHS) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF) and its clinical significance. Methods Sleep quality and breathing disorders were measured by polysomnography and the relationship with lung function was analyzed in 20 IPF patients. Results Thirteen of 20 subjects ( 65% ) had OSAHS as defined by an AHI ≥5 events per hour. Three subjects ( 15% ) had mild OSAHS ( AHI,5 to 20 events per hour) , and 10 subjects ( 50% ) had moderate-to-severe OSAHS ( AHI≥20 events per hour) . The sleep architecture in these patients showed a reduction in sleep efficiency, rapid eye movement ( REM) sleep and slow wave sleep, and a marked sleep fragmentation due to an increased arousal index. The AHI was negatively correlated with FVC% pred ( r =-0.672, P=0.001) and FEV1% pred ( r =-0.659, P=0.002) , and positively correlated with body mass index ( BMI) ( r=0.791, Plt;0.0001) . Conclusions OSAHS is a common comorbidity in IPF. Early treatment of OSAHS may improve quality of life and the prognosis of patients with IPF.