CXCL10 as a biomarker of interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

Pulmonary involvement is a frequent and serious rheumatoid arthritis (RA) manifestation that affects 60%–80% of patients. CXCL10 is an inflammatory chemokine that regulates different biological responses, such as chemotaxis, angiogenesis, and inflammation.

Aim

This study aimed to identify the role of CXCL10 as a peripheral blood marker of RA-ILD and its correlation with disease activity.

Patients and methods

This cross-sectional study included 73 patients with RA (33 with ILD and 40 without ILD). Pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography were performed. Blood samples were taken for complete blood count and blood chemistry analysis, and human interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) level. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 22) was used for all statistical calculations.

Results

The serum CXCL10 level and patient age (r = .393, p = .024), disease duration (r = .756, p < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = .516, p = .002), C-reactive protein (r = .539, p = .001), and rheumatoid factor (r = .663, p < .001) revealed a significant positive correlation. Furthermore, the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (r = −.418, p = .015) revealed a significant negative correlation. Patients with RA-ILD show significantly higher CXCL10 than those without ILD (p < .001).

Conclusion

CXCL10 is a useful RA disease activity biomarker and is an RA-ILD-sensitive biomarker, also CXCL10 is a significant predictor for development of RA-ILD.