Abstract
BackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests the involvement of an autoimmune mechanism in the pathogenesis of respiratory dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function and serum antibodies to several connective tissue disease autoantigens (ACTDA) levels, which has not been investigated in a general population.MethodsBlood sampling and spirometry were performed for subjects (n = 3,257) aged ≥40 years who participated in a community-based annual health check in Takahata, Japan, from 2004 to 2006. ACTDA was measured by enzyme immunoassay, and subjects with ACTDA values ≥20 were defined as positive.ResultsIn males, there were significant inverse relationships between logarithmically transformed ACTDA values and spirometric parameters, including % predicted values for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and maximal midexpiratory flow (MMF) as well as FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that except for the relationship between ACTDA and FEV1/FVC, these relationships were still significant after adjustment for Brinkman index (a measure of inhaled cigarette consumption). The prevalence of positive ACTDA was greater in male never-smokers with mixed ventilation disorders and relatively severe airflow obstruction (% predicted FEV1 below the median value).ConclusionsAutoimmunity may be involved in the mechanism of impaired pulmonary function in the general population.
Highlights
Inhalation of cigarette smoke causes respiratory inflammation even in healthy smokers, and long-term smoking causes various respiratory diseases
We previously reported spirometric values for a healthy Japanese population ≥40 years of age who participated in an annual health check [10], noting that the prevalence of microalbuminuria, a marker of vascular endothelial damage, was significantly greater in the group measuring positive for antibodies to several connective tissue disease autoantigens (ACTDA), as measured using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method, than in the ACTDA-negative group [11]
We demonstrated an inverse relationship between spirometric measures and ACTDA value in male subjects participating in an annual health check-up
Summary
Inhalation of cigarette smoke causes respiratory inflammation even in healthy smokers, and long-term smoking causes various respiratory diseases. Of these diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has had the most impact on public health worldwide [1]. Autoimmunity is associated with the pathogenesis of pulmonary diseases such as COPD [3]. The involvement of autoimmune mechanisms is suggested by the persistence of airway inflammation after cessation of cigarette smoking [6] as well as by the pathogenesis of COPD in non-smoking populations [7]. The prevalence of positive ACTDA was greater in male never-smokers with mixed ventilation disorders and relatively severe airflow obstruction (% predicted FEV1 below the median value). Conclusions: Autoimmunity may be involved in the mechanism of impaired pulmonary function in the general population
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