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Table 5 Studies measuring serum biomarkers in patients with occupational and environmental diseases

From: Serum biomarkers in interstitial lung diseases

Investigator

Patients Controls

Biomarker / Summary

ROC curve analysis Cut-off values

Specificity – Sensitivity Diagnostic accuracy

Limitations

Borm et al. 80

33

58

Glutathione levels reflect early inflammatory response but are not a predictive parameter for individual susceptibility in CWP

No

Not estimated

Retrospective analysis / No serial measurement / Small number of patients / Scarce data on the interrelationships among antioxidant enzymes

Borm et al. 81

39

27

TNF is a marker of individual susceptibility to dust-induced lung fibrosis in coal-workers

No

Not estimated

Retrospective analysis / Small number of patients / Indefinite data on the acquired or genetically controlled differences of TNF release

Schins et al. 83

104

29

A 5-year follow-up study reveals that TNF is a reliable prognosticator of CWP

No

Not estimated

No linkage to disease behaviour / Indefinite data on the effect of exposure / No ROC curve analysis / cut-off levels

Schins et al. 84

104

29

Serum PIIIP has a poor value as a biomarker to screen for CWP

No

Not estimated

Studied population: retired miners / Diverse exposure to coal-dust / Heterogeneity of disease-fibrotic activity / Indefinite data on the effect of exposure and time variation in serum PIIP

Cobben et al. 86

201

48

Serum LDH levels are elevated in coalminers but are not associated with clinical variables of disease severity

No

Not estimated

Retrospective study / No serial measurements / No ROC curve analysis / cut-off levels

Cobben et al. 87

191

48

Serum b-glucuronidase levels may be a useful biomarker in monitoring lung inflammation following coal dust exposure

No

Not estimated

Retrospective study / No serial measurements / No ROC curve analysis / cut-off levels

Takahashi et al. 88

35

237

Elevated serum KL-6 levels in patients with FLD

Yes

KL-6: 410 - 450 U/ml

KL-6: 80 - 73%

Small number of patients / No serial measurements

Harris et al. 89

108

20

Elevated serum neopterin levels in CBD

Yes

Neopterin: 1.27 ng/ml

Neopterin: 88 - 58%

No serial measurements / No correlation with clinical and/or radiological parameters

Maier et al. 90

31

34

Neopterin is a useful diagnostic tool in differentiating CBD from BeS

Yes

Neopterin: 2.5 ng/ml

Neopterin: 100 - 80%

No serial measurements Poor prognostic value Indefinite cut-off levels

  1. Abbreviations: BeS: Beryllium Sensitization, CBD: Chronic Beryllium Disease, CWP: Coal-Workers Pneumoconiosis, FLD: Farmer's Lung Disease, KL-6: Krebs von den Lungen-6, LDH: Lactate Dehydrogenase, PIIIP: type III procollagen peptide, ROC: Receiver Operating Characteristic, TNF: Tumor Necrosis Factor