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Abstract
KL-6 has been reported to be a serum marker for interstitial pneumonitis (IP). The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive value of KL-6 on the deterioration of vital capacity (VC) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with IP. In 32 RA patients we evaluated both the serum KL-6 level and VC in a prospective design. The diagnosis of IP was determined by clinical symptoms, chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scanning and/or pulmonary function tests. Findings such as reticulonodular and/or cystic shadows on HRCT scanning were accepted as IP signs. The IP signs with ground-glass opacity were set as active. The mean period of observation was 31.2 (5.6) months. The initial and/or final serum KL-6 levels were more than 520 U/ml in seven patients (H-KL group). In the other 25 patients, both the initial and final KL-6 levels were 520 U/ml or less (L-KL group). Among the H-KL group patients, their percent VC (%VC) was significantly reduced ( P < 0.01) during the observation period. No significant changes of KL-6 and %VC levels were seen in the L-KL group. Thus, we conclude that in RA patients with IP, abnormal levels of serum KL-6 may predict the deterioration of VC.