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Recent reports indicate that matrix metalloproteinase‐7 (MMP‐7) and CC‐chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) are potential disease markers of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The objective of this study was to perform direct comparisons of these two biomarkers with three well‐investigated serum markers of IPF, Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (KL‐6), surfactant protein‐A (SP‐A), and SP‐D. The serum levels of MMP‐7, CCL18, KL‐6, SP‐A, and SP‐D were evaluated in 65 patients with IPF, 31 patients with bacterial pneumonia, and 101 healthy controls. The prognostic performance of these five biomarkers was evaluated in patients with IPF. The serum levels of MMP‐7, KL‐6, and SP‐D in patients with IPF were significantly elevated compared to those in patients with bacterial pneumonia and in the healthy controls. Multivariate survival analysis showed that serum MMP‐7 and KL‐6 levels were …