KL-6 is a sialoglycoprotein antigen which proved elevated in the serum of patients with different interstitial lung diseases, especially in those with a poorer outcome. Given that interstitial pneumonia is the most common presentation of SARS-CoV2 infection, we evaluated the prognostic role of KL-6 in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were prospectively enrolled. Blood samples were collected at the time of enrolment (TOE) and on day 7 (T1). Serum KL-6 concentrations were measured by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay using a KL-6 antibody kit (LUMIPULSE G1200, Fujirebio) and the cut-off value was set at >1000 U/mL. Fifteen out of 34 enrolled patients (44.1%) died. Patients with unfavourable outcome showed significantly lower P/F ratio and higher IL-6 values and plasmatic concentrations of KL-6 at TOE compared with those who survived (median KL-6: 1188 U/mL vs. 260 U/mL, p < 0.001). KL-6 > 1000 U/mL resulted independently associated with death (aOR: 11.29, p < 0.05) with a positive predictive value of 83.3%. Our results suggest that KL-6 is a reliable indicator of pulmonary function and unfavourable outcome in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. A KL-6 value > 1000 U/mL resulted independently associated with death and showed good accuracy in predicting a poorer outcome. KL-6 may thus represent a quick, inexpensive, and sensitive parameter to stratify the risk of severe respiratory failure and death.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Mortality, Pneumonia, KL-6, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19 pneumonia, Respiratory failure, antibody, IL-6, severe respiratory failure, risk, outcome, SARS-CoV2 infection, Predictive value, Antigen, immunoassay, serum, Pulmonary function, Positive predictive value, Accuracy, Lung diseases, Patient, death, enzyme immunoassay, interstitial pneumonia, prognostic, chemiluminescence, Concentration, Interstitial lung diseases, Blood samples, enzyme, blood sample, P/F ratio, enrolment, cut-off value, U/mL, Fujirebio, significantly lower, parameter, enrolled, collected, died, evaluated, elevated, median, were measured, patients with COVID-19, those who survived, with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 Pneumonia, Indicator, with COVID-19,