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Predictive factors and prognostic effect of telomere shortening in pulmonary fibrosis
Author(s) -
PlanasCerezales Lurdes,
AriasSalgado Elena G.,
BuendiaRoldán Ivette,
MontesWorboys Ana,
López Cristina Esquinas,
VicensZygmunt Vanesa,
Hernaiz Patricio Luburich,
Sanuy Roger Llatjós,
LeiroFernandez Virginia,
Vilarnau Eva Balcells,
Llinás Ernest Sala,
Sargatal Jordi Dorca,
Abellón Rosario Perona,
Selman Moisés,
MolinaMolina Maria
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/resp.13423
Subject(s) - medicine , telomere , pulmonary fibrosis , idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis , fibrosis , oncology , lung , genetics , dna , biology
Background and objective The abnormal shortening of telomeres is a mechanism linking ageing to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) that could be useful in the clinical setting. The objective of this study was to identify the IPF patients with higher risk for telomere shortening and to investigate the outcome implications. Methods Consecutive Spanish patients were included at diagnosis and followed up for 3 years. DNA blood samples from a Mexican cohort were used to validate the results found in Spanish sporadic IPF. Prior to treatment, telomere length was measured through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Southern blot. Outcome was assessed according to mortality or need for lung transplantation. A multivariate regression logistic model was used for statistical analysis. Results Family aggregation, age of <60 years and the presence of non‐specific immunological or haematological abnormalities were associated with a higher probability of telomere shortening. Overall, 66.6% of patients younger than 60 years with telomere shortening died or required lung transplantation, independent of functional impairment at diagnosis. By contrast, in patients older than 60 years with telomere shortening, the negative impact of telomere shortening in outcome was not significant. Conclusion Our data indicate that young sporadic IPF patients (<60 years) with some non‐specific immunological or haematological abnormalities had higher risk of telomere shortening, and furthermore, they presented a poorer prognosis.