title: Low DLCO in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension - clinical correlates and prognostic significance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decreased diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is observed in some idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) patients, but its clinical significance is uncertain. We aimed to assess clinical correlates and prognostic significance of low DLCO in IPAH patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the group of 65 IPAH patients the cut off value for low DLCO was set up based on histogram as < 55% of predicted value. Demographic data, exercise capacity, lung function tests, hemodynamic parameters and survival of the patients were compared depending on DLCO value.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low DLCO was found in 18% of the patients, and it was associated with male sex, older age, worse functional status and exercise capacity, and higher prevalence of coronary artery disease. Low DLCO carried a 4-fold increase of death risk in 5-year perspective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low DLCO was a marker of worse functional capacity and increased risk of death in studied IPAH patients.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szturmowicz
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Lung Diseases, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland. ankac2000@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kacprzak
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franczuk
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burakowska
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurzyna
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fijałkowska
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skoczylas
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wesołowski
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuś
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torbicki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications; D065627:Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002248:Carbon Monoxide
keywords: diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide; prognostic factor; pulmonary hypertension