title: Plasma lactate dehydrogenase: a marker of disease activity in cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis and extrinsic allergic alveolitis?
abstract: Total plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity may be elevated in cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (CFA) and extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA), and may be a useful monitor of disease progress. In a retrospective, primary referral centre study, we compared LDH at presentation, prior to bronchoalveolar lavage BAL, and after treatment and follow-up with changes in pulmonary function, in patients with CFA, EAA and pulmonary sarcoidosis. Plasma levels of LDH at presentation in CFA (n = 47) and EAA (n = 10) were significantly higher than in patients with sarcoidosis (n = 36). LDH activity decreased in patients with improving lung function (EAA, p = 0.008; CFA, p = 0.02), whereas it increased in CFA patients with deteriorating lung function (p = 0.015). Total plasma LDH is a simple, though nonspecific test, which appears to reflect changes of disease activity in patients with CFA and EAA.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Matusiewicz
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sime
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Wenham
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Crompton
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Greening
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood*; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase