Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate plasma levels correlate with lung function in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease in two independent cohorts

Abstract

Background: Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) has antifibrotic properties in vitro and DHEAS plasma levels in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are low. Objective: To determine the association of DHEAS plasma levels with pulmonary function in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods: Blood samples were acquired from two distinct ILD cohorts. DHEAS plasma levels were measured by ELISA and tested for their associations with forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). The primary analysis was performed in a Canadian fibrotic ILD cohort and then validated in a male Swiss IPF cohort. Results: In the derivation cohort mean (SD) age was 68 (10) years, FVC% 76 (18), and DLCO% 50 (16). Median (IQR) DHEAS plasma levels were 0.39 (0.23-0.63) mcg/ml in 76 men and 0.41 (0.23-0.60) mcg/ml in 53 women. The validation cohort (32 men) had a mean (SD) age of 68 (9) years, FVC% 62 (15), DLCO% 44 (12), and median (IQR) DHEAS of 0.33 (0.20-0.61) mcg/ml. In the derivation cohort, DHEAS correlated with FVC% in men (r=0.43, p Conclusion: We identified an age-independent association of DHEAS with FVC and DLCO in a diverse cohort of patients with fibrotic ILD with confirmation in a well-characterized cohort of men with IPF.