The relationship between serum immunoglobulin levels and pulmonary involvement in systemic sclerosis
Yuhara, T.; Takemura, H.; Akama, T.; Yamane, K.; Sumida, T.
Journal of Rheumatology 27(5): 1207-1214
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 10813289 Document Number: 514612
Objective: To examine the relationship between serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels and pulmonary function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: Twenty-four patients with SSc who had at least 2 sets of pulmonary function tests (PFT) at intervals of more than one year were eligible. Multiple linear regression models were constructed for prediction of the annualized rates of change of forced vital capacity (FVC), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO), and DLCO per unit alveolar volume (KCO). Results: The rates of change of FVC and KCO correlated with the annualized rate of change of IgG (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively), and the rate of change of DLCO correlated with the serum IgM level at the first PFT (p = 0.020) and with the annualized rate of change of IgG (p = 0.007). Conclusion: The rates of change of serum Ig levels are associated with those of pulmonary function in SSc. Use of this model may assist investigation of pulmonary involvement.