Serum concentration of prostaglandin E2 as a diagnostic biomarker in patients with silicosis: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Silicosis is a prevalent incurable pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of silica dust. Study aimed to investigate inflammatory, hematological and biochemical parameters as additional biomarkers for diagnosing or monitoring silicosis.

METHODS: Research enrolled 14 workers with silicosis and 7 healthy controls (without exposure and silicosis). The serum level of prostaglandin E2, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, biochemical and hematological parameters were measured. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine diagnostic sensitivity of each biomarker.

RESULTS: Patients with silicosis have a significantly higher level of prostaglandin E2, erythrocyte, hemoglobin and hematocrit than patients without silicosis. Prostaglandin E2, hemoglobin and the erythrocyte count are significant in separating the silicosis cases from healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS: Prostaglandin E2 might be an adjuvant peripheral diagnostic biomarker for silicosis, while hematological parameters (erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit) might be prognostic biomarkers.