ELEVATED SERUM TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS - ASSOCIATION WITH PULMONARY FIBROSIS

Objective. To determine whether serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF -alpha) levels are elevated, and whether they correlate with clinical features in patients with systemic sclerosis (Sc). Methods. Serum samp les from patients with limited cutaneous SSc (ISSc) (n=51), diffuse cu taneous SSc (dSSc) (n=30), and control subjects (n=30) were examined b y ELISA. Results. Serum TNF-alpha levels were elevated in patients wit h ISSc and dSSc and correlated with the presence of pulmonary fibrosis and with the decreased vital capacity of the patients. Conclusion. Se rum TNF-alpha may be one of the cytokines that contribute to the disea se process, especially to pulmonary fibrosis in patients with SSc.