Early Detection of Pulmonary Fibrosis: Biomarkers and Imaging Techniques

Akhter Ali Khan; Khalid Jamal; Zia Ur Rehman; Muhammad Kashif Habib; Amir Ali; Burhanullah

doi:10.29054/apmc/2025.1814

Akhter Ali Khan Associate Professor & Head of Pulmonology, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif Pakistan
Khalid Jamal Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif
Zia Ur Rehman Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat Pakistan
Muhammad Kashif Habib Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat Pakistan
Amir Ali Department of Pulmonology, Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar Pakistan
Burhanullah Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Saidu Teaching Hospital, Swat Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2025.1814

Keywords: pulmonary fibrosis, biomarkers, KL-6, SP-A, HRCT imaging

Abstract

Early Detection of Pulmonary Fibrosis: Biomarkers and Imaging Techniques

Abstract

Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of biomarkers (KL-6, SP-A, SP-D, MUC5B, and telomere length) and High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) imaging for distinguishing pulmonary fibrosis from healthy controls.

Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Saido Teaching Hospital Swat from June 2024 to June 2025. The study included 150 patients, with 75 diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and 75 healthy controls. Biomarkers were measured, and HRCT imaging was performed for all participants. Statistical analysis included t-tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables, with p-values of less than 0.001 considered significant.

Results: The study revealed significant differences in biomarkers between the fibrosis and control groups. KL-6 (240 ± 45 vs. 120 ± 35), SP-A (95 ± 15 vs. 45 ± 10), SP-D (60 ± 25 vs. 35 ± 20), MUC5B (70 ± 30 vs. 40 ± 15), and telomere length (12000 ± 2500 vs. 8000 ± 2000) showed p-values of less than 0.001. HRCT scans demonstrated distinct fibrotic patterns in the fibrosis group, with honeycombing (50.67%) and reticular patterns (28%).

Conclusion: Biomarkers and HRCT imaging are effective tools for the early detection of pulmonary fibrosis. These findings support their use in clinical practice to diagnose and monitor disease progression, particularly in resource-limited settings. Future research should focus on larger, multicentre studies to further validate these diagnostic tools.