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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Increased alveolar nitric oxide in early systemic sclerosis
D M Wuttge1, G Bozovic, R Hesselstrand
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund, Sweden. dirk.wuttge@med.lu.se
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|November 6, 2010
Summary
Alveolar nitric oxide (NO) is elevated in early systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, potentially indicating lung involvement before imaging changes appear. This finding suggests NO could serve as an early biomarker for SSc-related lung disease.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Assessing inflammatory activity in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) poses challenges.
- Nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in SSc pathogenesis, prompting investigation into its utility.
- Early detection of lung involvement in SSc is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate alveolar nitric oxide (NO) concentration (CA(NO)) in SSc patients with early disease duration.
- To correlate CA(NO) levels with radiologic findings of pulmonary involvement in SSc.
- To explore CA(NO) as a potential early marker for SSc-related lung disease.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study enrolled 34 early SSc patients (disease duration < 2 years) and 26 healthy controls.
- Exhaled NO was measured, and alveolar NO concentration (CA(NO)) was calculated.
- CA(NO) was related to radiologic extent of pulmonary fibrosis, ground glass opacities, and reticulations on HRCT.
Main Results:
- SSc patients exhibited significantly higher CA(NO) levels compared to healthy controls (p<0.001).
- Elevated CA(NO) was observed in both SSc patients with and without SSc-ILD.
- CA(NO) correlated with ground glass opacities and reticulations but not with pulmonary fibrosis extent or lung function.
Conclusions:
- Alveolar NO is increased in early SSc, suggesting it may precede radiological signs of SSc-ILD.
- CA(NO) shows potential as a non-invasive biomarker for early lung involvement in SSc.
- Further research can validate CA(NO) for monitoring SSc-ILD progression.
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