Serum Levels of Surfactant Proteins in Patients with Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE)

Introduction Emphysema and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) present either per se or coexist in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). Serum surfactant proteins (SPs) A, B, C and D levels may reflect lung damage. We evaluated serum SP levels in healthy controls, emphysema, IPF, and CPFE patients and their associations to disease severity and survival. Methods 122 consecutive patients (31 emphysema, 62 IPF, and 29 CPFE) and 25 healthy controls underwent PFTs, ABG-measurements, 6MWT and chest HRCT. Serum levels of SPs were measured. Patients were followed-up for 1-year. Results SP-A and SP-D levels differed between groups (p = 0.006 and p= 26 ng/mL) presented a weak association with reduced survival (p = 0.05). Conclusion In conclusion, serum SP-A and SP-D levels were higher where fibrosis exists or coexists and related to disease severity, suggesting that serum SPs relate to alveolar damage in fibrotic lungs and may reflect either local overproduction or overleakage. The weak association between high levels of SP-B and survival needs further validation in clinical trials

Serum Levels of Surfactant Proteins in Patients with Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE) - Table 2

<p>Serum Levels of Surfactant Proteins in Patients with Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE)</p> - Table

Demographic and functional characteristics of the study participants.

<p>Demographic and functional characteristics of the study participants.</p

Serum surfactant protein levels in the different study groups.

<p>A. SP-A, B. SP-B, C. SP-C, D. SP-D.</p

Composite Physiological Index (CPI) correlations to A. SP-A, B. SP-B, C. SP-C and D: SP-D.

<p>Level of statistical significance after correction for multiple correlation analysis was set at p < 0.023.</p

Kaplan-Meier curve showing survival of patients with IPF according to the levels of SP-B.

<p>Kaplan-Meier curve showing survival of patients with IPF according to the levels of SP-B.</p

Serum Surfactant Protein levels in CPFE patients according to the extent of emphysematous lesions.

<p>Serum Surfactant Protein levels in CPFE patients according to the extent of emphysematous lesions.</p