Transforming growth factor-beta is increased in sputum from individuals with rheumatoid arthritis-associated pulmonary fibrosis
Authors' conclusion
We demonstrate that sputum levels of TGF-β are significantly elevated in individuals with RA-PF, correlate with lung disease severity, and are elevated in those with the MUC5B ILD-risk polymorphism.
Study context
- Population
- RA patients with and without pulmonary fibrosis; induced sputum and serum tested for TGF-β, MUC5B interstitial lung disease (ILD)-risk allele, High-resolution CT (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) within 3 months of sputum collection
- Participants
- 37 vs 30
- Exposure
- RA with pulmonary fibrosis vs RA without ILD
- RA-PFn = 37
- RA-no-ILDn = 30reference
- Outcome
- Sputum TGF-β levels (immunoassay)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Sputum TGF-β
- Sputum TGF-β significantly elevated in RA-PF vs RA-no-ILD
- RA-PF vs RA-no-ILD: P < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlation of sputum TGF-β with lung disease severity
- Correlated with more fibrosis on HRCT
- P = 0.005
- Correlated with lower forced vital capacity
- P = 0.006
- Correlated with lower DLCO
- P = 0.044
Sputum TGF-β by MUC5B genotype within RA-PF (subgroup)
- Higher in those with MUC5B ILD-risk genotype (GT/TT)
- P = 0.038
Serum TGF-β
- No differences between groups
Original publication
Transforming growth factor-beta is increased in sputum from individuals with rheumatoid arthritis-associated pulmonary fibrosis. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 18 December 2024. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →