Prevalence and clinical significance of circulating autoantibodies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The clinical significance of circulating autoantibodies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical significance of circulating autoantibodies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

We measured an extensive panel of autoantibodies (including rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide, and anti-nuclear antibodies by immunofluorescence) associated with connective tissue disease or vasculitis in a cohort of well-characterized patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 67). The prevalence of circulating autoantibodies was compared between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and healthy controls (n = 52). We compared the clinical characteristics of patients with and without c

SUBMITTER: Lee JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3543473 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature