Serum Krebs von den Lungen (KL-6) level as a marker of exacerbation of interstitial lung diseases

Abstract

Abstract Background Krebs von den Lungen (KL-6) is elevated in serum of interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients based on its leakage from the alveolar space into the blood; KL-6 is significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation of ILDs (AE-ILD) compared with stable patients. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of KL6 to detect AE-ILD. Results This is a prospective cross sectional observational study was carried out on 88 subjects at the Chest Department, Minia Cardiothoracic University Hospital, during the period from August 2018 to August 2019. This study was approved by the hospital research ethics board of Minia University and informed consent was obtained. History, examination, spirometry, ABGs, X-ray, HRCT, CBC, ESR, CRP, and KL6 levels were done to both stable and exacerbation groups of ILDs. The level of biomarkers is compared between both groups and control. Statistical analysis done by using IBM SPSS statistical package version 20 (χ 2 test and independent sample t test, ANOVA test, bivariate Pearson correlation analysis, and ROC curve analysis). The study showed that there is a significant difference between stable and exacerbating groups regarding fever, signs of RHF, dyspnea scale, FVC, and PaO2. Conclusion KL-6 cutoff ≥ 187.5 U/ml could exhibit AE-ILDs with a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 97%. KL-6 is a more sensitive and specific marker to detect AE-ILD.

Keywords

• Interstitial lung diseases (ILD)
• Exacerbation
• Krebs von den Lungen (KL-6)
• Biomarkers