Seasonal variation of serum KL-6 concentrations is greater in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Serum KL-6 is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILD). However, KL-6 has not been used to discriminate different types of ILD.

Serum KL-6 concentrations can vary depending on antigen exposure levels in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP); however, seasonal changes in serum KL-6 concentrations in ILD have not been determined. We hypothesized that seasonal variation of serum KL-6 is greater in HP than for the other ILD.

The aim of this study was to determine seasonal variation of serum KL-6 concentrations in various ILD.

Methods:
Serum KL-6 concentrations in the summer season from June 1 to September 30 and the winter season from November 1 to February 28 were retrospectively analyzed in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF, n = 16), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP, n = 16), collagen vascular disease-associated interstitial pneumonia (CVD-IP, n = 33), house-related HP (House-HP, n = 9), bird-related HP (Bird-HP, n = 9), and combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE, n = 13).

Results:
Bird-HP and House-HP showed greater seasonal serum KL-6 variation than the other ILD. Serum KL-6 concentrations in Bird-HP were significantly increased in the winter and KL-6 concentrations in House-HP were significantly increased in the summer.

Serum KL-6 variation was significantly greater in acute HP than chronic HP. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that greater seasonal variation in serum KL-6 concentrations is diagnostic for Bird-HP.

Conclusion:
HP should be considered in ILD with greater seasonal changes in serum KL-6 concentrations.

Author: Hiroshi OhnishiShintaro MiyamotoShigeo KawaseTetsuya KubotaAkihito Yokoyama
Credits/Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2014, 14:129

Published on: 2014-08-07

News Provider: 7thSpace Interactive / EUPB Press Office

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