Downregulation of exosomal let-7d and miR-16 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract Background Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a degenerative interstitial lung disease with both a poor prognosis and quality of life once the diagnosis is made. In the last decade many features of the disease have been investigated to better understand the pathological steps that lead to the onset of the disease and, moreover, different types of biomarkers have been tested to find valid diagnostic, prognostic and therapy response predictive ones. In the complexity of IPF, microRNA (miRNAs) biomarker investigation seems to be promising. Methods We analysed the expression of five exosomal miRNAs supposed to have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease from serum of a group of IPF patients (n = 61) and we compared it with the expression of the same miRNAs in a group of healthy controls (n = 15). Results In the current study what emerged is let-7d down-regulation and, unexpectedly, miR-16 significant down-regulation. Moreover, through a cross-sectional analysis, a clustering of the expression of miR-16, miR-21 and miR-26a was found. Conclusions These findings could help the individuation of previously unknown key players in the pathophysiology of IPF and, most interestingly, more specific targets for the development of effective medications.

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Gender differences at presentation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Sweden

BMC Pulmonary Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12890-019-0994-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dimitrios Kalafatis ◽

Jing Gao ◽

Ida Pesonen ◽

Lisa Carlson ◽

C. Magnus Sköld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Lung Function ◽

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Smoking History ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with poor prognosis mainly affecting males. Differences in clinical presentation between genders may be important both for the diagnostic work-up and for follow-up. In the present study, we therefore explored potential gender differences at presentation in a Swedish cohort of IPF-patients. Methods We studied patients included in the Swedish IPF- registry over a three-year period from its launch in 2014. A cross-sectional analysis was performed for data concerning demographics, lung function, 6- min walking test (6MWT) and quality of life (QoL) (King’s Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (K-BILD) score). Results Three hundred forty- eight patients (250 (72%) males, 98 (28%) females, median age 72 years in both genders) were included in the registry during the study period. Smoking history (N = 169 (68%) vs. N = 53 (54%), p < 0.05), baseline lung function (Forced vital capacity, % of predicted (FVC%): 68.9% ± 14.4 vs. 73.0% ± 17.7, p < 0.05; Total lung capacity, % of predicted (TLC%): 62.2% ± 11.8 vs. 68.6% ± 11.3%, p < 0.001) were significantly different at presentation between males and females, respectively. Comorbidities such as coronary artery disease (OR: 3.5–95% CI: 1.6–7.6) and other cardiovascular diseases (including atrial fibrillation and heart failure) (OR: 3.8–95% CI: 1.9–7.8) also showed significant differences between the genders. The K- BILD showed poor quality of life, but no difference was found between genders in total score (54 ± 11 vs. 54 ± 10, p = 0.61 in males vs. females, respectively). Conclusions This study shows that female patients with IPF have a more preserved lung function than males at inclusion, while males have a significant burden of cardiovascular comorbidities. However, QoL and results on the 6MWT did not differ between the groups. These gender differences may be of importance both at diagnosis and follow- up of patients with IPF.

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P016 Impact of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis on Executive Functioning: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcw119.020 ◽

2016 ◽

Keyword(s):

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Analysis ◽

Sectional Analysis

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Social Media Content of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Groups and Pages on Facebook: A Cross Sectional Analysis (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.24199 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Kochan ◽

Shaun Ong ◽

Sabina Guler ◽

Kerri A. Johannson ◽

Christopher J. Ryerson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Medical Information ◽

Scientific Information ◽

User Engagement ◽

Search Term ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Analysis ◽

Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND Patients use Facebook as a resource for medical information. We analyzed posts on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-related Facebook groups and pages for presence of guideline content, user engagement, and usefulness. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe and analyze posts from Facebook groups and pages that primarily focus on IPF-related content. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis was performed on a single date, identifying Facebook groups and pages resulting from separately searching “IPF” and “idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis”. For inclusion, groups and pages needed to meet either search term and be in English, publicly available, and relevant to IPF. Every tenth post was assessed for general characteristics, source, focus, and user engagement metrics. Posts were analyzed for presence of IPF guideline content, useful scientific information (e.g. scientific publications), useful support information (e.g. information about support groups), and potentially harmful information. RESULTS Eligibility criteria were met by 12 groups and 27 pages, leading to analysis of 523 posts. Of these, 42% contained guideline content, 24% provided useful support, 20% provided useful scientific information, and 5% contained potentially harmful information. Post source was most commonly non-medical users (85%). Posts most frequently focused on IPF-related news (29%). Posts containing any guideline content had fewer likes or comments and a higher likelihood of containing potentially harmful content. Posts containing useful supportive information had more likes, shares, and comments. CONCLUSIONS Facebook contains useful information about IPF, but posts with misinformation and less guideline content have higher user engagement, making them more visible. Identifying ways to help IPF patients discriminate between useful and harmful information on Facebook and other social media platforms is an important task for healthcare professionals.

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Cough in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

European Respiratory Review ◽

10.1183/16000617.0090-2015 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 25 (141) ◽

pp. 278-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Mirjam J.G. van Manen ◽

Surinder S. Birring ◽

Carlo Vancheri ◽

Vincent Cottin ◽

Elisabetta A. Renzoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Chronic Cough ◽

Future Developments ◽

New Compounds ◽

Insight Into ◽

Made In ◽

Gaining Insight

Many patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) complain of chronic refractory cough. Chronic cough is a distressing and disabling symptom with a major impact on quality of life. During recent years, progress has been made in gaining insight into the pathogenesis of cough in IPF, which is most probably “multifactorial” and influenced by mechanical, biochemical and neurosensory changes, with an important role for comorbidities as well. Clinical trials of cough treatment in IPF are emerging, and cough is increasingly included as a secondary end-point in trials assessing new compounds for IPF. It is important that such studies include adequate end-points to assess cough both objectively and subjectively. This article summarises the latest insights into chronic cough in IPF. It describes the different theories regarding the pathophysiology of cough, reviews the different methods to assess cough and deals with recent and future developments in the treatment of cough in IPF.

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Social Media Content of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Groups and Pages on Facebook: Cross Sectional Analysis (Preprint)

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance ◽

10.2196/24199 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew Kochan ◽

Shaun Ong ◽

Sabina Guler ◽

Kerri A. Johannson ◽

Christopher J. Ryerson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Media Content ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Analysis ◽

Sectional Analysis

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mMRC dyspnoea scale indicates impaired quality of life and increased pain in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

ERJ Open Research ◽

10.1183/23120541.00084-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 00084-2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Kaisa Rajala ◽

Juho T. Lehto ◽

Eva Sutinen ◽

Hannu Kautiainen ◽

Marjukka Myllärniemi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽

Linear Relationship ◽

Real Life ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale

This study was undertaken to investigate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms in a real-life cross-sectional study. Our secondary aim was to create a simple identification method for patients with increased need for palliative care by studying the relationship between modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale, HRQoL and symptoms.We sent a self-rating HRQoL questionnaire (RAND-36) and modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) to 300 IPF patients; 84% of the patients responded to these questionnaires.The most prevalent (>80%) symptoms were tiredness, breathlessness, cough and pain in movement. An increasing mMRC score showed a linear relationship (p<0.001) to impaired HRQoL in all dimensions of RAND-36 and the severity of all symptoms in ESAS. Dimensions of RAND-36 fell below general population reference values in patients with mMRC score ≥2. The intensity of pain in movement (p<0.001) and at rest (p=0.041), and the prevalence of chest pain (p<0.001) had a positive linear relationship to increased mMRC score.An increasing mMRC score reflects impaired HRQoL and a high symptom burden. In clinical practice, the mMRC scale could be used for screening and identification of IPF patients with increased need for palliative care.

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