Dm&Vc: Lung Diffusing Capacity for Nitric Oxide as a Marker of Fibrotic Changes in Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is based on computed tomography (CT) imaging, whereas lung function studies are used for staging and follow up. Lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is generally reduced but weakly correlated with the severity of CT-determined fibrotic process. A possible explanation of this finding is that DLCO is relatively insensitive to changes in alveolar membrane diffusive conductance (DMCO). Lung diffusion capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) was strongly correlated with CT-determined amount of fibrosis/honeycombing in both usual and non-specific interstitial pneumonias. Moreover. Both DLNO and DMCO were below the lower limit of normality even in patients with small amount of fibrosis. Measurement of DLNO may provide a more reliable assessment of fibrotic changes than DLCO because it better reflects DMCO.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Detailed Description
Rationale: Lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is decreased in both usual interstitial pneumonia-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP-IPF) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), but is weakly related to computed tomography (CT)-determined fibrotic changes.
Objectives: To determine whether measurement of lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) better reflects fibrotic changes than DLCO.
Methods: DLNO and DLCO were measured simultaneously in 30 patients with UIP-IPF and 30 with NSIP. The amount of pulmonary fibrosis was estimated by volumetric analysis of visually bounded areas showing reticular opacities and honeycombing. Alveolar membrane conductance (DMCO) and pulmonary capillary volume (Vc) were calculated.
Study Design
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Changes of lung diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) in a group of 60 patients with fibrosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) [Within 1 month following idiopathic interstitial pneumonias diagnosis]
Because DLNO is more sensitive to alveolar membrane diffusive conductance (DMCO) than standard lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, DLNO changes may better reflect the extent of fibrotic process in IIPs
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Chest computed tomography (CT) scan diagnosis of either usual interstitial pneumonia-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP-IPF) or idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Symptoms/signs or specific serum markers of an underlying autoimmune process
-
Previous environmental/occupational exposure to fibrogenic dusts
-
Use of fibrogenic medications
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino - IST Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- Borland CD, Higenbottam TW. A simultaneous single breath measurement of pulmonary diffusing capacity with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Eur Respir J. 1989 Jan;2(1):56-63.
- Guenard H, Varene N, Vaida P. Determination of lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusing capacity in man by the measurements of NO and CO transfer. Respir Physiol. 1987 Oct;70(1):113-20.
- Wémeau-Stervinou L, Perez T, Murphy C, Polge AS, Wallaert B. Lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusion in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Respir Med. 2012 Apr;106(4):564-70. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2011.12.011. Epub 2012 Jan 4.
- IRCCS 2015