Relationship between induced sputum cytology and inflammatory status with lung structural and functional abnormalities in asbestosis.
BACKGROUND
Asbestosis is associated with lung cellular and immunological abnormalities. Induced sputum cytology and local and systemic markers of inflammation may be helpful to characterize disease status and progression in these patients.


METHODS
Thirty-nine ex-workers with asbestosis on high-resolution CT (HRCT) and 21 non-exposed controls were evaluated. Sputum cytology and IL-8 in serum and sputum were related to lung function impairment.


RESULTS
Subjects with asbestosis had reduced sputum cellularity but higher macrophage/neutrophil ratio and % macrophage as compared with controls. Sputum and serum IL-8 were also higher in patients with asbestosis (P < 0.05). In addition, evidence of lung architectural distorption on HRCT was associated with increased levels of serum IL-8. Interestingly, absolute macrophage number was negatively correlated with total lung capacity (r = -0.40; P = 0.04) and serum IL-8 to lung diffusing capacity (r = -0.45; P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Occupationally exposed subjects with asbestosis on HRCT have cytologic abnormalities in induced sputum and increased local and systemic pro-inflammatory status which are correlated to functional impairment.
Setta
José Henrique
JH
Respiratory Division- Federal University of São Paulo, (UNIFESP)- São Paulo, SP, Brazil. jhalesetta@uol.com.br
Neder
José Alberto
JA
Bagatin
Ericson
E
Terra-Filho
Mario
M
Nápolis
Lara Maris
LM
Corso
Simone Dal
SD
Amorin
Maria Marta Ferreira
MM
Rodrigues
Reynaldo Tavares
RT
Fernandes
Ana Luísa Godoy
AL
Nery
Luiz Eduardo
LE
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D016209:Interleukin-8