P147 BPF-GILD study: an observational cohort study of UK pigeon fanciers

Le résumé fourni par la source

Introduction Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a common interstitial lung disease (ILD), presents in two distinct but related forms, acute and fibrotic (fHP). HP is classically described as a disease triggered by inhaled exposure to a proven or likely causative antigen. However, a wide range of inhaled triggers are described and in ~50% of cases no clear trigger is identified, rendering observational studies challenging. The British Pigeon Fanciers Genetics of ILD (BPF-GILD) study aims to address this by studying a population with a clear history of exposure to a common trigger. Objective Create an observational cohort of individuals who have been exposed to the same antigens to determine pathways relevant to the development of fHP. Methods Participants were recruited from 2019 to 2023 at UK Pigeon Fancier meetings. Each participant performed spirometry, completed a standardised questionnaire with an experienced doctor, and provided blood samples for antigen tests and generation of omics data (such as genetics and proteomics). Results 417 subjects were recruited from four meetings. The median age of the cohort was 63 years, 95% were male and 94% self-reported white ethnicity. Cohort members kept a median number of 80 pigeons (range 4–800), kept pigeons for a median of 40 years (1 – 79) and participants spent a median of 14 hours per week [1–100] in their lofts. 51% of participants also had occupational dust exposures. 49% of individuals reported at least one respiratory symptom related to loft exposure, with the most common loft-related symptoms being sneezing (22%) and wheezing (20%). 14% of the cohort had suspected ILD diagnosis and these individuals appeared more likely to wear a mask when with their pigeons (73% vs 55%). Positive responses to questions employed to detect occult connective tissue disease in ILD clinics were present in 41% of participants, with the most common responses being sicca (23%) and myalgia (17%). Conclusion Our well characterised pigeon fanciers commonly experience acute HP symptoms and are likely to be at increased risk of fHP. Subsequent work using stored samples will enable us to determine genetic risk factors and pathways relevant to the development of fHP.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.