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Decision on treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) related interstitial lung disease (ILD) largely relies on the findings on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and there is a need for improvement in assessment of the fibrotic activity. The objectives of this study were to study biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from SSc patients with ILD and to relate the findings to the severity and activity of lung fibrosis.

Fifteen patients with early SSc and 12 healthy controls were subjected to BAL. Cell counts and analyses of CXCL5, CXCL8 and S100A8/A9 were performed in BALF and serum. COMP and KL-6 were measured in serum. HRCT of lungs was quantified for ground glass opacities (GGO), reticulation and traction bronchiectases.

BALF concentrations of CXCL8 (p < 0.001), CXCL5 (p = 0.002) and S100A8/A9 (p = 0.016) were higher in patients than controls. Serum KL-6 (p < …