Serum level of periostin can predict long-term outcome of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Respir Investig. 2015 Mar;53(2):73-81. doi: 10.1016/j.resinv.2014.12.003. Epub 2015 Jan 19.

Abstract

Background: KL-6 and surfactant proteins A and D are the only established serum biomarkers of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We have previously shown that serum levels of periostin, a unique matricellular protein, are elevated and correlated with pulmonary function in patients with IPF. We sought to determine whether the serum periostin levels correlate with overall survival (OS) and time-to-event (TTE), as a parameter reflecting long-term outcome, and with the extent of abnormality on chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores in patients with IPF.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with IPF were analyzed retrospectively. The mean observation period was 1035.2 ± 663.1 days (range, 112-1800 days). High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores were calculated based on the extent of abnormality evidenced by HRCT. We evaluated if there were any correlations between the serum periostin levels and clinical parameters, including HRCT score, using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients and analyzed predictors of OS and TTE using the log-rank tests.

Results: We showed that the serum periostin levels significantly correlated with the increase of honeycombing score on HRCT during a 6-month period. Log-rank tests showed that a higher serum periostin level was a predictor of a shortened OS and TTE. Greater extents of fibrotic lesions on HRCT scan were predictors of shortened OS and TTE.

Conclusions: In IPF patients, the serum periostin level may be a good predictive biomarker for an increase in the radiological fibrotic area and long-term outcome.

Keywords: Biomarker; High-resolution computed tomography; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Periostin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / blood*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • POSTN protein, human