Introduction Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex disease
linked to immune system activation, vascular damage,
associated with increased synthesis, and deposition of
extracellular matrix, which contain excessive amounts of
structurally normal collagen. Interleukin 23 (IL-23) might play
a role in disease development and severity. This study aimed
to assess the relationship between serum level of IL-23 and
interstitial lung disease in SSc.
Patients and methods Thirty patients with SSc together with
30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers were
recruited in this study. Serum IL-23 levels were measured by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Functionally, lung
involvement was assessed by pulmonary function tests and
radiologically by chest radiography and high-resolution
computed tomography of the lungs.
Results Mean serum IL-23 level was significantly highly
elevated in SSc patients compared with healthy controls
(P