Role of neuron specific enolase, carbohydrate antigen 125, and carbohydrate antigen 199 in monitoring the pulmonary fibrosis progression of pneumoconiosis

Objective To explore the clinical significance of monitoring neuron specific enolase(NSE), carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125), and carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199) in patients with pneumoconiosis.

Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted among 222 patients with pneumoconiosis admitted to this hospital from January 2018 to December 2022.The patients were divided into three groups according to the stage of pneumoconiosis(stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ). The serum levels and abnormal rates of NSE, CA125, and CA199 among these groups were compared.

Results Among the 222patients with pneumoconiosis, 51(22.97%) were in stage Ⅰ, 52(23.42%) were in stage Ⅱ, and 119(53.61%) were in stage Ⅲ. There were statistically significant differences in serum NSE and CA125 levels among pneumoconiosis patients at different stages(P < 0.001), and serum NSE and CA125 levels in patients at stage Ⅲ were higher than those in stage Ⅰand stage Ⅱ(P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in serum CA199 level among pneumoconiosis patients at different stages(P=0.163). The abnormal rates of serum NSE, CA125, and CA199 levels among 222 patients were 45.05%, 27.93%, and 2.70%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in serum NSE and CA125abnormal rates among pneumoconiosis patients at different stages(both P < 0.001), and both showed an increasing trend with the increase of stage.

Conclusions Monitoring serum NSE and CA125 in patients with pneumoconiosis can indicate the progression of their condition and provide references for the treatment plan.