Occupational exposure to endotoxin-rich swine barn air induces respiratory diseases and loss of lung function. Barn exposure induces recruitment of pulmonary intravascular monocytes/macrophages (PIMMs) and subsequent increased host sensitivity to <i>Escherichia coli</i> LPS challenge. Therefore, to further clarify the biology of PIMMs we examined the role of recruited PIMMs in a rat <i>Escherichia coli</i>-induced lung inflammation model. Following sepsis, lung inflammation was induced with recruitment of PIMMs and subsequently, <i>Escherichia coli</i> LPS challenge exacerbated the lung inflammation with localization of multiple inflammatory cytokines in PIMMs to suggest their possible involvement in modulating lung inflammation in this model.<p> In order to delineate mechanisms of barn air induced lung dysfunction, a rat model of occupational exposure was characterized to show that one and five exposures to the barn environment induced acute lung inflammation and increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Following 20 exposures, AHR was dampened to indicate adaptive responses. Barn air contains high levels of endotoxin which led us to investigate its role in lung inflammation and AHR. Exposure of mice with either a functional TLR4 (WT) or non-functional TLR4 (mutants) to barn air revealed dependence of lung inflammation but not AHR on a functional TLR4.<p> I investigated whether exposure to barn air alters host responses to a subsequent microbial challenge. Following one day barn exposure and <i>Escherichia coli</i> LPS challenge, lung inflammation was exacerbated with increased granulocytes and IL-1β levels compared to one day barn exposed rats without <i>Escherichia coli</i> LPS challenge. However, increased granulocytes and IL-1β levels in barn exposed and <i>Escherichia coli</i> LPS challenged rats were not different from control rats treated with <i>Escherichia coli</i> LPS indicating a lack of priming effect of barn exposure. However, above results are suggestive of an underlying risk of increased lung inflammation following secondary microbial infection in naïve barn workers.<p> Lastly, I investigated the expression and activity of novel signalling molecules called <i>N</i>-myristoyltransferase and calcineurin in barn air and <i>E. coli</i> LPS induced lung inflammation models. Following one day barn exposure, increased protein expression but not activity of <i>N</i>-myristoyltransferase and calcineurin was shown. However, there is a need to identify the specific role of these two molecules in barn air induced lung inflammation. To conclude, animal models of barn exposure are useful tools to understand mechanisms of lung inflammation and AHR. However, there is still a need to examine endotoxin-independent nature of AHR and roles of other molecules of the innate immune system in regulating barn air induced effects.

The effects of inhaled air pollution particles on lung clearance mechanisms is an important factor in understanding how the mammalian lung deals with such pollutants and, as such, how exposure to these pollutants can be regulated. The nanoparticle(diameter S lOOnm) and transition metal components of PMIO (particulate matter with a diameter less than lO~m) have been implicated as playing major roles in the impairment of alveolar macrophage function and the subsequent retention of particles in the respiratory system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of components of PMIO on macrophage functions both directly, by examining macrophage phagocytosis and migration, and indirectly, by studying peripheral factors affecting macrophagefunction such as recruitment by type II cells and complement based mechanisms. We hypothesised that the alveolar epithelial type II cell line would release leukocyte chemoattractants in response to particle exposure and that this could be measured by use of a macrophage migration assay. A sub-toxic dose (125 ~g/ml)of surrogate air pollutionparticles (fine and nanoparticle carbon black and titanium dioxide) was established by measuring LOH release from a murine alveolar macrophage cell line (1774.2) and an alveolar epithelial type II cell line (L-2) in response to particle exposure. Optimisation ofa chemotaxis assay and measurement of macrophage migration towards conditioned medium obtained from the particle-exposed type II cells was conducted and it was determined that carbon black nanoparticles induced type II cells to secrete a chemoattractant that resulted in significant increases in macrophage migration compared to the negative control. This was in contrast to other particle types tested in this study which did not induce any increases in macrophage migration. It was also hypothesised that complement proteins could be involved in macrophage recruitment to sites of particle deposition and, as such, the migration of macrophages towards particle exposed blood serum was examined in vitro. Foetal bovine serum (FBS) was exposed to fine and nanoparticle caroon black and titanium dioxide (l-Smg/ml) for 2 hours. It was found, in accord with the previous study involving type II cells, that carbon black nanoparticles could activate the generation of chemotactic factors in serum that could subsequently induce significant increases (p < 0.001) in macrophage migration when serum was diluted to 10% using serum-free RPMI 1640 culture medium. This effect could be ameliorated by co-incubating the particle-treated serum in the presence of the antioxidant Trolox suggesting that oxidative stress played a role in the generation of the chemoattractant molecules. However, incubation of the serum with a pure oxidant at a range of doses did not result in the generation of chemotactic molecules suggesting that another factor could be involved in the chemoattractant generation. Further investigation to determine the exact molecular mechanism behind the chemoattractant generation is warranted. In contrast to the previous studies, we have also found evidence that components of PM₁₀ can cause decreased efficacy of macrophage clearance mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. It was hypothesised that PM₁₀ instillation would result in a decrease in macrophage phagocytic potential and an increase in chemotactic potential ex vivo. Rats were instilled with 125 and 250μg of PM₁₀ collected from North Kensington, London or sterile saline (negative control). Post-instillation (18 hours), significantly elevated concentrations of TNFa were detected in the BAL fluid together with a significant increase in the number of BAL neutrophils. Phagocytosis and chemotaxis assays conducted with BAL macrophages ex vivo showed that macrophage migration towards a positive chemoattractant, Zymosan Activated Serum (ZAS), was significantly lower than the macrophages obtained from the negative control rats. Macrophage phagocytosis of latex beads ex vivo was also found to be significantly decreased when PM₁₀ was visible inside the cell. An in vitro study where a macrophage cell line (J774.Al) was exposed to a low dose of nanoparticle carbon black (31.25μg) together with varying concentrations (100μM - 100nM) of zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) was also conducted. Exposure of macrophages to nanoparticle carbon black and zinc chloride alone induced a decrease in macrophage phagocytosis. It was found that when macrophages were co-exposed to nanoparticle carbon black and ZnCl₂, there was an additive decrease in macrophage phagocytic potential. The results contained within this manuscript demonstrate that the components of PM₁₀ can induce adverse effects on specific aspects of macrophage clearance mechanisms, but that nanoparticles can also stimulate the production of chemoattractants to aid in the recruitment of phagocytes and subsequent particle clearance. Although a contrary relationship appears to exist between these findings, the recruitment of leukocytes in response to particulate exposure is a mechanism that supports particle clearance. However, the retardation of phagocytic and chemotactic mechanisms in particle exposed macrophages may help to explain the increased toxicity, inflammation and retention time observed with nanoparticle inhalation.

Le déclin de la fonction pulmonaire et la destruction progressive des tissus des voies aériennes sont les premières causes de morbidité et de mortalité dans la mucoviscidose (CF). Grâce à un suivi régulier et à des traitements symptomatiques, la qualité de vie et l'espérance de vie des patients CF ont considérablement augmenté. Pour le suivi des patients, les cliniciens utilisent principalement des paramètres cliniques et biologiques. L'objectif principal de ce projet de thèse était d'identifier des biomarqueurs de l'atteinte pulmonaire basés sur la méthylation de l'ADN. Par une approche tout-génome (Infinium 450K), nous avons mesuré la méthylation de l'ADN dans les cellules épithéliales nasales de patients CF et d'individus contrôles sains (cohorte MethylCF, 51 patients, 24 contrôles). Nous avons montré que les profils de méthylation différaient entre patients et contrôles mais aussi entre patients à atteinte pulmonaire modérée et sévère. Les changements de méthylation ont principalement eu lieu dans des régions régulatrices (enhancers) et dans des gènes associés à l'adhésion cellulaire et aux réponses inflammatoire et immunitaire. En combinant données épigénomiques et données cliniques, nous avons sélectionné des potentiels biomarqueurs de sévérité de l'atteinte pulmonaire, et des potentiels biomarqueurs de l'évolution de la fonction pulmonaire. Pour valider les biomarqueurs, nous avons constitué une cohorte longitudinale, MethylBiomark, de 50 patients CF suivis pendant 18 mois. A partir d'échantillons d'expectoration recueillis tous les six mois environ, nous avons mesuré la méthylation de l'ADN des potentiels biomarqueurs par pyroséquençage. Deux biomarqueurs corrélaient avec la sévérité de l'atteinte pulmonaire (VEMS et CVF), et un biomarqueur corrélait avec l'évolution de la fonction pulmonaire (variation de VEMS). Le second objectif de cette thèse était d'étudier l'impact des variations de méthylation d'ADN sur l'expression des gènes, en croisant des données épigénomiques et transcriptomiques générées à partir des mêmes échantillons (sang total, cohorte MethylCF). L'analyse transcriptomique a permis d'identifier (i) des gènes différentiellement exprimés entre patients et contrôles, qui étaient associées aux réponses inflammatoire et immunitaire, et (ii) des modules de co-expression (WGCNA) qui corrélaient fortement avec des paramètres cliniques, dont le diabète. / Lung function decline and progressive destruction or airway tissues are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF). Quality of life and life expectancy of CF patients greatly increased over the last decades, because of a regular follow-up and symptomatic treatments. For the follow-up of patients, clinicians usually use clinical or biological parameters. The main goal of this thesis was to identify DNA methylation biomarkers of CF lung disease. We measured genome-wide DNA methylation (with Infinium 450K) in nasal epithelial cells from CF patients and healthy controls (MethylCF cohort, 51 patients, 24 controls). We showed that DNA methylation profiles differed between CF patients and controls, but also between patients with mild and severe lung disease. DNA methylation changes mainly occurred in regulatory regions (enhancers) and in genes associated with cell adhesion and inflammatory and immune responses. By combining epigenomic and clinical data, we selected potential biomarkers of lung disease severity, and potential prognostic biomarkers of the evolution of the lung function. To validate these biomarkers, we built a new longitudinal cohort of 50 CF patients followed for 18 months. We measured the DNA methylation level of the biomarkers by pyrosequencing in sputum samples collected every 6 months. Two biomarkers correlated with lung disease severity (measured by FEV1 and FVC) and one biomarker correlated with the evolution of the lung function (FEV1 variation). The second goal of this thesis was to investigate the impact of DNA methylation changes on gene expression, by combining epigenomic and transcriptomic data from the same samples (whole blood, MethylCF cohort). The transcriptomic analysis revealed (i) differentially expressed genes between patients and controls, that were mainly involved in inflammatory and immune responses, and (ii) co-expression gene modules (WGCNA) highly correlated with clinical parameters, and notably CF-related diabetes.

Introduction. L’Enquête Littoral Souffle Air Biologie Environnement (ELISABET) a pour objectif général l’étude de la santé respiratoire et cardiovasculaire dans les communautés urbaines de Lille (CUDL) et Dunkerque (CUD). Les objectifs spécifiques de cette thèse sont d’étudier : (i) la prévalence et le sous-diagnostic des troubles ventilatoires obstructifs (TVO), (ii) l’évolution de la prévalence des principaux facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire (FDRCV) dans la CUDL entre 1986 et 2013, (iii) les interactions entre deux biomarqueurs de l’asthme (fraction exhalée du monoxyde d’azote (FENO) et taux d’éosinophiles sanguin (S-eos)) et le statut tabagique, (iv) le rôle de médiateur de l’inflammation chronique de bas-grade dans la relation entre diabète et baisse de la fonction pulmonaire, et (v) l’impact à court terme de la pollution atmosphérique sur la fonction respiratoire.Méthodes. Les 3276 participants (âgés de 40 à 65 ans) à l’enquête transversale en ELISABET ont été sélectionnés à partir de listes électorales par échantillonnage aléatoire et inclus entre janvier 2011 et novembre 2013. Un questionnaire détaillé, des explorations fonctionnelles respiratoires et un prélèvement sanguin ont été effectués. (i) Les TVO ont été définis par un rapport du volume expiratoire maximal à la première seconde (VEMS) sur la capacité vitale forcée (CVF) inférieur à 0.70 ou à la limite inférieure de la normale calculée à partir des dernières équations de référence disponibles. (ii) La prévalence des principaux FDRCV a été estimée à partir d’échantillons représentatifs de la population de la CUDL issus des enquêtes MONICA1986-88, MONICA1995-96, MONALISA2005-07 et ELISABET2011-13. (iii) L’asthme allergique a été défini comme un asthme (auto-déclaration, et sifflements dans la poitrine dans les 12 derniers mois ou prise de traitement) avec terrain atopique. (iv) Le diabète était défini par la prise d’un traitement antidiabétique ou une glycémie à jeun ≥ 1.26 g/L ou des valeurs d’hémoglobine A1c ≥ 6.5%. L’inflammation chronique a été mesurée par la Protéine C réactive ultra-sensible (CRPus). Une analyse de médiation a été conduite sur un échantillon de sujets sans pathologie respiratoire ou athérosclérotique. (v) Les valeurs des particules inférieures à 10 µm (PM10) et du dioxyde d'azote (NO2) ont été fournies par les stations de mesures ATMO des CUDL et CUD.Principaux résultats. (i) La prévalence des TVO s’étendait de 9.5% à 16% (dépendant du centre et de la définition utilisée) ; le taux de sous-diagnostic était élevé (environ 75 %). (ii) La prévalence des principaux FDRCV diminuait régulièrement sur une période de 25 ans, à l'exception de l'usage du tabac chez les femmes, du diabète chez les hommes (tous deux stables) et de la surcharge pondérale chez les hommes (augmentée). (iii) Une interaction positive entre le statut tabagique et l'asthme allergique a été observée dans les modèles expliquant le FENO (p = 0,003) et les S-eos (p = 0,001). Ainsi, les participants souffrant d'asthme allergique avaient (comparés à ceux n’en souffrant pas) des valeurs plus élevées de FENO (+ 63,4 %, IC95% = [39; 92]) et de S-eos (+ 63,2 % [38,2; 92,7]) chez les non-fumeurs, mais pas chez les fumeurs actuels. (iv) Le diabète était associé à une diminution des pourcentages prédits du VEMS (-3.5% [-5.8; -1.3]) et de la CVF (-3.6% [-5.9; -1.3]). La force de ces associations diminuait (-3.1% [-5.4; -0.9] pour les deux) après ajustement sur la CRPus. Ainsi, la part médiée de la CRPus valait 12% [2.4; 37] et 13% [3.7; 39.4] pour le VEMS et la CVF, respectivement. (v) Les mesures de PM10 et NO2 semblaient associées à une diminution du débit expiratoire maximal à 25 % de la CVF (résultat préliminaire).Conclusion. Les données de l’enquête ELISABET ont permis l’étude de la prévalence des TVO et des principaux FDRCV au sein de notre population d’étude. Elles ont également permis d’obtenir des résultats originaux à partir d’études cliniques et physiopathologiques. / Introduction. The general goal of the ELISABET (Enquête Littoral Souffle Air Biologie Environnement) survey is to study the respiratory and cardiovascular health in two urban areas in northern France (Lille and Dunkirk). The specific objectives of this thesis are to study: (i) the prevalence and underdiagnosis of airway obstruction (AO), (ii) long-term time trends in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors between 1986 and 2013 in the Lille urban area, (iii) the relationships between both the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and the blood eosinophil count (B-eos) on one hand and asthma and atopy on the other, according to smoking status, (iv) whether low-grade systemic inflammation (as measured by the level of high sensitivity-C-reactive protein, hs-CRP) mediated the relationship between diabetes and lung function, and (v) the short-term impact of atmospheric pollution on lung function.Methods. The 3276 participants (aged from 40 to 64) in the 2011-2013 ELISABET cross-sectional survey were selected from electoral rolls by random sampling, and recruited between January 2011 and November 2013. A detailed questionnaire, lung function tests, and a blood sample collection were performed. (i) AO was defined by a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio below 0.70 or below the lower limit of normal calculated by the most recent reference equations of the Global Lung Initiative. (ii) The prevalence of the main cardiovascular risk factors was estimated from representative samples inhabitants of Lille urban area from MONICA1986-88, MONICA1995-96, MONALISA2005-07 and ELISABET2011-13 surveys. (iii) Allergic asthma was defined as asthma (a self-report of physician-diagnosed asthma, and wheezing in the previous 12 months or the use of asthma medications) with atopy. (iv) Diabetes mellitus was defined as ongoing diabetes treatment or a fasting blood glucose level ≥1.26 g/L or a hemoglobin A1c value ≥6.5%. A mediation analysis was performed to assess and quantify the hs-CRP level as a mediator of the relationship between diabetes and lung function from a sample of participants without self-reported pulmonary and atherosclerotic disease. (v) Measurements of particles less than 10 mm in diameter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were provided by measuring stations ATMO in the two urban areas.Main results. (i) The prevalence of AO in northern France ranged from 9.5 to 16.0%, depending on the centre and definition used; the underdiagnosis rate was high (around 75%). (ii) A steady decline in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors over a 25-year period was observed, with the exception of tobacco use in women, prevalence of diabetes in men (both of which remained stable) and prevalence of overweight in men (which increased). (iii) A positive interaction between smoking status and allergic asthma was observed in multivariate models explaining FENO (p=0.003) and B-eos (p=0.001). Thus, compared to those without allergic asthma, participants with allergic asthma had higher FENO values (+63.4%, 95%CI=[39; 92]) and higher B-eos (+63.2% [38.2; 92.7]) in never and former smokers, but not in current smokers. (iv) Diabetes was associated with FEV1 (-3.5% [-5.8; -1.3]) and FVC (-3.6% [-5.9; -1.3]). Strength of both latter associations fell to -3.1% [-5.4; -0.9] after adjustment for hs-CRP. Hence, the proportion of the effect that is mediated by hs-CRP was 12% [2.4; 37] and 13% [3.7; 39.4] for FEV1 and FVC, respectively. (v) Measurements of PM10 and NO2 seemed to be associated with lower values of the expiratory flow at 25% of the FVC (preliminary result).Conclusion. Data from the ELISABET survey have allowed the study of the prevalence of AO and the main cardiovascular risk factors in our population. They also allowed obtaining original results from clinical and pathophysiological studies.

Introdução: O teste de apneia respiratória tem sido testado e demonstrou ser de utilidade clínica. Objetivos: Determinar o tempo de apneia voluntária máxima em pacientes com distúrbios ventilatórios obstrutivos (DVO) e em indivíduos normais e correlacionar os tempos de apneia com os testes de função pulmonar. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo caso-controle incluindo pacientes com DVO (casos) e um grupo controle, composto por voluntários com espirometria normal, recrutados no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). A espirometria foi realizada com espirômetro computadorizado e o teste de apneia respiratória utilizando-se um sistema eletrônico microprocessado e um pneumotacógrafo ((Hans Rudolph ® – Kansas OH, EUA)– Kansas OH, EUA) como transdutor de fluxo. As curvas de fluxo respiratório foram exibidas em tempo real em um computador portátil e os tempos máximos de apneia voluntária inspiratória e expiratória (TAVIM e TAVEM) foram determinados a partir do sinal adquirido. Resultados: Um total de 35 pacientes com DVO (casos) e 16 controles foram incluídos no estudo. O TAVIM foi significativamente menor nos casos (22,3 ± 11,8 s) do que no grupo controle (31,5 ± 15,7 s) com p = 0,025. O TAVEM também foi significativamente menor nos casos (16,9 ± 6,6 s) do que no grupo controle (22,1 ± 7,9 s) com p = 0,017. Foram encontradas correlações positivas moderadas entre TAVIM e CVF (r = 0,476, p = 0,004) e entre TAVIM e VEF1 (r = 0,383, p = 0,023). Conclusões: As medidas de TAVIM e TAVEM foram significativamente menores nos casos do que nos controles, e o TAVIM teve correlação moderada com a CVF e VEF1. Estes resultados fornecem uma evidência adicional da utilidade clínica do tempo de apneia como teste de função pulmonar. / Introduction: Breath-holding test has been tested in some clinical scenarios and has proved to be of clinical utility. Objectives: To determine the maximum voluntary breath-holding time in patients with obstructive ventilator defects and in normal subjects and to correlate the breathholding times with pulmonary function tests. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including patients with obstructive ventilator defects and a control group consisted of volunteers recruited in the same hospital, with normal spirometry. Spirometry was performed using a computerized spirometer. The Breath-holding test was conducted using an electronic microprocessor and a (Hans Rudolph ® – Kansas OH, EUA)pneumotachograph and flow transducer. Respiratory flow curves were displayed in real time on a portable computer. The maximal voluntary apnea inspiratory and expiratory times (MVAIT and MVAET) were determined from the acquired signal. Results: A total of 35 patients with obstructive ventilatory defects and 16 controls met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The MVAIT was lower in cases (22.3 ± 11.8 seconds) than in controls (31.5 ± 15.7 seconds) (p=0.025). MVAET was also lower in cases than in controls (16.9 ± 6.6 vs. 22.1 ± 7.9; p=0.017). We found positive and significant correlations between MVAIT and FVC (L) (r=0.476; p=0.004) and between MVAIT and FEV1 (L) (r=0.383; p=0.023). Conclusions: MVAIT and MVAET were significant lower in patients with obstructive ventilatory defects than in controls, and that MVAIT was correlated positively with FVC and FEV1 in cases. Our results provide additional evidence of usefulness of MVAIT as a pulmonary function test.

Introdução: O teste de apneia respiratória tem sido testado e demonstrou ser de utilidade clínica. Objetivos: Determinar o tempo de apneia voluntária máxima em pacientes com distúrbios ventilatórios obstrutivos (DVO) e em indivíduos normais e correlacionar os tempos de apneia com os testes de função pulmonar. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo caso-controle incluindo pacientes com DVO (casos) e um grupo controle, composto por voluntários com espirometria normal, recrutados no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). A espirometria foi realizada com espirômetro computadorizado e o teste de apneia respiratória utilizando-se um sistema eletrônico microprocessado e um pneumotacógrafo ((Hans Rudolph ® – Kansas OH, EUA)– Kansas OH, EUA) como transdutor de fluxo. As curvas de fluxo respiratório foram exibidas em tempo real em um computador portátil e os tempos máximos de apneia voluntária inspiratória e expiratória (TAVIM e TAVEM) foram determinados a partir do sinal adquirido. Resultados: Um total de 35 pacientes com DVO (casos) e 16 controles foram incluídos no estudo. O TAVIM foi significativamente menor nos casos (22,3 ± 11,8 s) do que no grupo controle (31,5 ± 15,7 s) com p = 0,025. O TAVEM também foi significativamente menor nos casos (16,9 ± 6,6 s) do que no grupo controle (22,1 ± 7,9 s) com p = 0,017. Foram encontradas correlações positivas moderadas entre TAVIM e CVF (r = 0,476, p = 0,004) e entre TAVIM e VEF1 (r = 0,383, p = 0,023). Conclusões: As medidas de TAVIM e TAVEM foram significativamente menores nos casos do que nos controles, e o TAVIM teve correlação moderada com a CVF e VEF1. Estes resultados fornecem uma evidência adicional da utilidade clínica do tempo de apneia como teste de função pulmonar. / Introduction: Breath-holding test has been tested in some clinical scenarios and has proved to be of clinical utility. Objectives: To determine the maximum voluntary breath-holding time in patients with obstructive ventilator defects and in normal subjects and to correlate the breathholding times with pulmonary function tests. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including patients with obstructive ventilator defects and a control group consisted of volunteers recruited in the same hospital, with normal spirometry. Spirometry was performed using a computerized spirometer. The Breath-holding test was conducted using an electronic microprocessor and a (Hans Rudolph ® – Kansas OH, EUA)pneumotachograph and flow transducer. Respiratory flow curves were displayed in real time on a portable computer. The maximal voluntary apnea inspiratory and expiratory times (MVAIT and MVAET) were determined from the acquired signal. Results: A total of 35 patients with obstructive ventilatory defects and 16 controls met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The MVAIT was lower in cases (22.3 ± 11.8 seconds) than in controls (31.5 ± 15.7 seconds) (p=0.025). MVAET was also lower in cases than in controls (16.9 ± 6.6 vs. 22.1 ± 7.9; p=0.017). We found positive and significant correlations between MVAIT and FVC (L) (r=0.476; p=0.004) and between MVAIT and FEV1 (L) (r=0.383; p=0.023). Conclusions: MVAIT and MVAET were significant lower in patients with obstructive ventilatory defects than in controls, and that MVAIT was correlated positively with FVC and FEV1 in cases. Our results provide additional evidence of usefulness of MVAIT as a pulmonary function test.

Introdução: A doença intersticial pulmonar (DIP) é uma forma de acometimento visceral grave pela esclerose sistêmica (ES), correspondendo na atualidade à principal causa de mortalidade pela doença. Atualmente, a tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução pulmonar (TCAR) é considerada o padrão-ouro no seu diagnóstico. Estudos recentes têm proposto diversos algoritmos clínicos para a predição diagnóstica e prognóstica da DIP-ES, objetivando ampliar sua detecção precoce e auxiliar na determinação de sua evolução e prognóstico. Objetivo: Testar os algoritmos clínicos propostos na literatura na predição diagnóstica e prognóstica na DIP-ES, estimar sua prevalência e avaliar a associação da extensão do acometimento pulmonar na TCAR com mortalidade em uma coorte de pacientes com ES. Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectivo, incluindo 177 pacientes com ES recrutados no período de abril de 2000 a abril de 2009, avaliados através de entrevista, exame físico, exames laboratoriais, provas de função pulmonar e TCAR. Algoritmos clínicos (A, B e C), combinando dados da ausculta pulmonar, radiografia de tórax e capacidade vital forçada (CVF), foram aplicados para o diagnóstico de diferentes extensões da pneumopatia intersticial na TCAR. Curvas de Kaplan-Meier e Regressão de Cox uni e multivariada foram utilizadas para analisar a associação dos algoritmos e da extensão de DIP na TCAR com a mortalidade. Resultados: A prevalência estimada de DIP na TCAR do baseline foi de 57,1% e 79 pacientes (44,6%) morreram em uma mediana de 11,1 anos de seguimento. Para identificação de DIP com extensão ≥10 e ≥20% na TCAR, todos os algoritmos apresentaram uma alta sensibilidade (>89%) e um likelihoodratio negativo muito baixo (<0,16). Para fins prognósticos, sobrevida foi reduzida para todos os algoritmos, com destaque para o algoritmo C, o qual identifica DIP considerando a presença de crepitantes na ausculta pulmonar, alterações na radiografia de tórax ou CVF <80% (HR 3,47; IC 95% 1,62-7,42). Pacientes com doença extensa como proposto por Goh e Wells (extensão >20% na TCAR ou, em casos indeterminados, CVF <70%) apresentam uma significativa redução na sobrevida (HR 3,42; IC 95% 2,12-5,52). Sobrevida não foi diferente entre pacientes com extensão ≥10 ou ≥20% na TCAR e análise de mortalidade em 10 anos sugere que extensão >10% na TCAR apresenta uma boa capacidade preditiva para mortalidade, embora não haja um ponto de corte claro a partir do qual ocorra um maior incremento na mortalidade. Conclusão: Algoritmos clínicos apresentam uma alta sensibilidade e um likelihood ratio negativo muito baixo para o diagnóstico de extensões de DIP com relevância clínica e prognóstica (≥10 e ≥20%) e foram fortemente associados com mortalidade. Assim sendo, a utilização desses algoritmos pode evitar a necessidade de realização de TCAR em alguns casos. / Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a form of severe visceral involvement by systemic sclerosis (SSc) and currently is the primary cause of death by disease. Thoracic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is considered the gold standard for diagnosis. Recent studies have proposed several clinical algorithms to predict the diagnosis of SSc-ILD, aiming to expand its early detection and estimate prognosis. Objective: To test the clinical algorithms to predict the presence and prognosis of SSc-ILD, to estimate the prevalence of SSc-ILD, and to evaluate the association of extent of ILD with mortality in a cohort of SSc patients. Methods: Prospective cohort study, including 177 SSc patients assessed by clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests, and HRCT. Clinical algorithms, combining lung auscultation, chest radiography and % predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), were applied for the diagnosis of different extents of ILD on HRCT. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional models were used to analyze the association of algorithms and the extent of ILD on HRCT with the risk of death using hazard ratios (HR). Results: The prevalence of ILD was 57.1% on baseline HRCT and 79 patients died (44.6%) in a median follow-up of 11.1 years. For identification of ILD with extent ≥10 and ≥20% on HRCT, all algorithms presented a high sensitivity (>89%) and a very low negative likelihood ratio (<0.16). For prognosis, survival was decreased for all algorithms, especially the algorithm C (HR 3.47, 95% CI 1.62-7.42), which identified the presence of ILD based on crackles on lung auscultation, findings on chest X-ray or FVC <80%. Extensive disease as proposed by Goh and Wells (extent of ILD >20% on HRCT or, in indeterminate cases, FVC <70%) had a significantly higher risk of death (HR 3.42, 95% CI 2.12 to 5.52). Survival was not different between patients with extent of 10 or 20% of ILD on HRCT, and analysis of 10-year mortality suggested that a threshold of 10% may also have a good predictive value for mortality. However, there is no clear cutoff above which mortality is sharply increased. Conclusion: Clinical algorithms had a good diagnostic performance for extent of SSc-ILD on HRCT with clinical and prognostic relevance (≥10 and ≥20%), and were also strongly related to mortality. Therefore, they probably could be used to obviate the requirement of HRCT in some cases.

Introdução: O teste de apneia respiratória tem sido testado e demonstrou ser de utilidade clínica. Objetivos: Determinar o tempo de apneia voluntária máxima em pacientes com distúrbios ventilatórios obstrutivos (DVO) e em indivíduos normais e correlacionar os tempos de apneia com os testes de função pulmonar. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo caso-controle incluindo pacientes com DVO (casos) e um grupo controle, composto por voluntários com espirometria normal, recrutados no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). A espirometria foi realizada com espirômetro computadorizado e o teste de apneia respiratória utilizando-se um sistema eletrônico microprocessado e um pneumotacógrafo ((Hans Rudolph ® – Kansas OH, EUA)– Kansas OH, EUA) como transdutor de fluxo. As curvas de fluxo respiratório foram exibidas em tempo real em um computador portátil e os tempos máximos de apneia voluntária inspiratória e expiratória (TAVIM e TAVEM) foram determinados a partir do sinal adquirido. Resultados: Um total de 35 pacientes com DVO (casos) e 16 controles foram incluídos no estudo. O TAVIM foi significativamente menor nos casos (22,3 ± 11,8 s) do que no grupo controle (31,5 ± 15,7 s) com p = 0,025. O TAVEM também foi significativamente menor nos casos (16,9 ± 6,6 s) do que no grupo controle (22,1 ± 7,9 s) com p = 0,017. Foram encontradas correlações positivas moderadas entre TAVIM e CVF (r = 0,476, p = 0,004) e entre TAVIM e VEF1 (r = 0,383, p = 0,023). Conclusões: As medidas de TAVIM e TAVEM foram significativamente menores nos casos do que nos controles, e o TAVIM teve correlação moderada com a CVF e VEF1. Estes resultados fornecem uma evidência adicional da utilidade clínica do tempo de apneia como teste de função pulmonar. / Introduction: Breath-holding test has been tested in some clinical scenarios and has proved to be of clinical utility. Objectives: To determine the maximum voluntary breath-holding time in patients with obstructive ventilator defects and in normal subjects and to correlate the breathholding times with pulmonary function tests. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including patients with obstructive ventilator defects and a control group consisted of volunteers recruited in the same hospital, with normal spirometry. Spirometry was performed using a computerized spirometer. The Breath-holding test was conducted using an electronic microprocessor and a (Hans Rudolph ® – Kansas OH, EUA)pneumotachograph and flow transducer. Respiratory flow curves were displayed in real time on a portable computer. The maximal voluntary apnea inspiratory and expiratory times (MVAIT and MVAET) were determined from the acquired signal. Results: A total of 35 patients with obstructive ventilatory defects and 16 controls met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The MVAIT was lower in cases (22.3 ± 11.8 seconds) than in controls (31.5 ± 15.7 seconds) (p=0.025). MVAET was also lower in cases than in controls (16.9 ± 6.6 vs. 22.1 ± 7.9; p=0.017). We found positive and significant correlations between MVAIT and FVC (L) (r=0.476; p=0.004) and between MVAIT and FEV1 (L) (r=0.383; p=0.023). Conclusions: MVAIT and MVAET were significant lower in patients with obstructive ventilatory defects than in controls, and that MVAIT was correlated positively with FVC and FEV1 in cases. Our results provide additional evidence of usefulness of MVAIT as a pulmonary function test.

Introdução: O teste de apneia respiratória tem sido testado e demonstrou ser de utilidade clínica. Objetivos: Determinar o tempo de apneia voluntária máxima em pacientes com distúrbios ventilatórios obstrutivos (DVO) e em indivíduos normais e correlacionar os tempos de apneia com os testes de função pulmonar. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo caso-controle incluindo pacientes com DVO (casos) e um grupo controle, composto por voluntários com espirometria normal, recrutados no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA). A espirometria foi realizada com espirômetro computadorizado e o teste de apneia respiratória utilizando-se um sistema eletrônico microprocessado e um pneumotacógrafo ((Hans Rudolph ® – Kansas OH, EUA)– Kansas OH, EUA) como transdutor de fluxo. As curvas de fluxo respiratório foram exibidas em tempo real em um computador portátil e os tempos máximos de apneia voluntária inspiratória e expiratória (TAVIM e TAVEM) foram determinados a partir do sinal adquirido. Resultados: Um total de 35 pacientes com DVO (casos) e 16 controles foram incluídos no estudo. O TAVIM foi significativamente menor nos casos (22,3 ± 11,8 s) do que no grupo controle (31,5 ± 15,7 s) com p = 0,025. O TAVEM também foi significativamente menor nos casos (16,9 ± 6,6 s) do que no grupo controle (22,1 ± 7,9 s) com p = 0,017. Foram encontradas correlações positivas moderadas entre TAVIM e CVF (r = 0,476, p = 0,004) e entre TAVIM e VEF1 (r = 0,383, p = 0,023). Conclusões: As medidas de TAVIM e TAVEM foram significativamente menores nos casos do que nos controles, e o TAVIM teve correlação moderada com a CVF e VEF1. Estes resultados fornecem uma evidência adicional da utilidade clínica do tempo de apneia como teste de função pulmonar. / Introduction: Breath-holding test has been tested in some clinical scenarios and has proved to be of clinical utility. Objectives: To determine the maximum voluntary breath-holding time in patients with obstructive ventilator defects and in normal subjects and to correlate the breathholding times with pulmonary function tests. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including patients with obstructive ventilator defects and a control group consisted of volunteers recruited in the same hospital, with normal spirometry. Spirometry was performed using a computerized spirometer. The Breath-holding test was conducted using an electronic microprocessor and a (Hans Rudolph ® – Kansas OH, EUA)pneumotachograph and flow transducer. Respiratory flow curves were displayed in real time on a portable computer. The maximal voluntary apnea inspiratory and expiratory times (MVAIT and MVAET) were determined from the acquired signal. Results: A total of 35 patients with obstructive ventilatory defects and 16 controls met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The MVAIT was lower in cases (22.3 ± 11.8 seconds) than in controls (31.5 ± 15.7 seconds) (p=0.025). MVAET was also lower in cases than in controls (16.9 ± 6.6 vs. 22.1 ± 7.9; p=0.017). We found positive and significant correlations between MVAIT and FVC (L) (r=0.476; p=0.004) and between MVAIT and FEV1 (L) (r=0.383; p=0.023). Conclusions: MVAIT and MVAET were significant lower in patients with obstructive ventilatory defects than in controls, and that MVAIT was correlated positively with FVC and FEV1 in cases. Our results provide additional evidence of usefulness of MVAIT as a pulmonary function test.

Introdução: A doença intersticial pulmonar (DIP) é uma forma de acometimento visceral grave pela esclerose sistêmica (ES), correspondendo na atualidade à principal causa de mortalidade pela doença. Atualmente, a tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução pulmonar (TCAR) é considerada o padrão-ouro no seu diagnóstico. Estudos recentes têm proposto diversos algoritmos clínicos para a predição diagnóstica e prognóstica da DIP-ES, objetivando ampliar sua detecção precoce e auxiliar na determinação de sua evolução e prognóstico. Objetivo: Testar os algoritmos clínicos propostos na literatura na predição diagnóstica e prognóstica na DIP-ES, estimar sua prevalência e avaliar a associação da extensão do acometimento pulmonar na TCAR com mortalidade em uma coorte de pacientes com ES. Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectivo, incluindo 177 pacientes com ES recrutados no período de abril de 2000 a abril de 2009, avaliados através de entrevista, exame físico, exames laboratoriais, provas de função pulmonar e TCAR. Algoritmos clínicos (A, B e C), combinando dados da ausculta pulmonar, radiografia de tórax e capacidade vital forçada (CVF), foram aplicados para o diagnóstico de diferentes extensões da pneumopatia intersticial na TCAR. Curvas de Kaplan-Meier e Regressão de Cox uni e multivariada foram utilizadas para analisar a associação dos algoritmos e da extensão de DIP na TCAR com a mortalidade. Resultados: A prevalência estimada de DIP na TCAR do baseline foi de 57,1% e 79 pacientes (44,6%) morreram em uma mediana de 11,1 anos de seguimento. Para identificação de DIP com extensão ≥10 e ≥20% na TCAR, todos os algoritmos apresentaram uma alta sensibilidade (>89%) e um likelihoodratio negativo muito baixo (<0,16). Para fins prognósticos, sobrevida foi reduzida para todos os algoritmos, com destaque para o algoritmo C, o qual identifica DIP considerando a presença de crepitantes na ausculta pulmonar, alterações na radiografia de tórax ou CVF <80% (HR 3,47; IC 95% 1,62-7,42). Pacientes com doença extensa como proposto por Goh e Wells (extensão >20% na TCAR ou, em casos indeterminados, CVF <70%) apresentam uma significativa redução na sobrevida (HR 3,42; IC 95% 2,12-5,52). Sobrevida não foi diferente entre pacientes com extensão ≥10 ou ≥20% na TCAR e análise de mortalidade em 10 anos sugere que extensão >10% na TCAR apresenta uma boa capacidade preditiva para mortalidade, embora não haja um ponto de corte claro a partir do qual ocorra um maior incremento na mortalidade. Conclusão: Algoritmos clínicos apresentam uma alta sensibilidade e um likelihood ratio negativo muito baixo para o diagnóstico de extensões de DIP com relevância clínica e prognóstica (≥10 e ≥20%) e foram fortemente associados com mortalidade. Assim sendo, a utilização desses algoritmos pode evitar a necessidade de realização de TCAR em alguns casos. / Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a form of severe visceral involvement by systemic sclerosis (SSc) and currently is the primary cause of death by disease. Thoracic high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is considered the gold standard for diagnosis. Recent studies have proposed several clinical algorithms to predict the diagnosis of SSc-ILD, aiming to expand its early detection and estimate prognosis. Objective: To test the clinical algorithms to predict the presence and prognosis of SSc-ILD, to estimate the prevalence of SSc-ILD, and to evaluate the association of extent of ILD with mortality in a cohort of SSc patients. Methods: Prospective cohort study, including 177 SSc patients assessed by clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests, and HRCT. Clinical algorithms, combining lung auscultation, chest radiography and % predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), were applied for the diagnosis of different extents of ILD on HRCT. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional models were used to analyze the association of algorithms and the extent of ILD on HRCT with the risk of death using hazard ratios (HR). Results: The prevalence of ILD was 57.1% on baseline HRCT and 79 patients died (44.6%) in a median follow-up of 11.1 years. For identification of ILD with extent ≥10 and ≥20% on HRCT, all algorithms presented a high sensitivity (>89%) and a very low negative likelihood ratio (<0.16). For prognosis, survival was decreased for all algorithms, especially the algorithm C (HR 3.47, 95% CI 1.62-7.42), which identified the presence of ILD based on crackles on lung auscultation, findings on chest X-ray or FVC <80%. Extensive disease as proposed by Goh and Wells (extent of ILD >20% on HRCT or, in indeterminate cases, FVC <70%) had a significantly higher risk of death (HR 3.42, 95% CI 2.12 to 5.52). Survival was not different between patients with extent of 10 or 20% of ILD on HRCT, and analysis of 10-year mortality suggested that a threshold of 10% may also have a good predictive value for mortality. However, there is no clear cutoff above which mortality is sharply increased. Conclusion: Clinical algorithms had a good diagnostic performance for extent of SSc-ILD on HRCT with clinical and prognostic relevance (≥10 and ≥20%), and were also strongly related to mortality. Therefore, they probably could be used to obviate the requirement of HRCT in some cases.