Surfactant protein-D predicts survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Barlo, N.P.; van Moorsel, C.H.M.; Ruven, H.J.T.; Zanen, P.; van den Bosch, J.M.M.; Grutters, J.C.
Sarcoidosis Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases Official Journal of Wasog 26(2): 155-161
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1124-0490 PMID: 20560296 Document Number: 634139
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive interstitial lung disease with a high mortality rate. As lung transplantation is the only therapeutic option, it is important to predict survival. This study evaluates the clinical value of surfactant protein-D as a marker of prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Surfactant protein-D was measured in serum of 72 patients and 305 healthy controls. The optimal cut-off level to define unfavourable prognosis was determined using a ROC analysis. A Cox's proportional Hazards model was used to evaluate variables that were significant predictors of survival. Serum levels of surfactant protein-D were significantly higher in patients than in controls. ROC analysis showed 460 ng/ml to be the optimal cut-off level to discriminate survivor from non-survivors after 1 year. Patients with high levels (> 460 ng/ml) had a median survival time of 13 months, compared to 67 months in the group with low levels (< 460 ng/ml). Surfactant protein-D showed to be a significant predictor of prognosis, even when corrected for age, sex, smoking, and lung function. The measurement of surfactant protein-D in serum of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis might be a clinically relevant tool to predict survival.