The pathophysiology behind finger clubbing, a condition that was first identified over 2,000 years ago by Hippocrates, has finally been explained by researchers at the University of Leeds.

The deformity of swollen reddened fingers has been used as an indicator for diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, hyperthyroidism and GI disorders, but the association was unknown - until now.

"We knew that in cystic fibrosis patients who have undergone a lung transplant, their finger clubbing goes away," said Professor David Bonthron of the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine.

"The same goes for empyema patients who have had their lungs drained. It suggested that impaired lung function was somehow crucial to finger clubbing - but we didn't understand how."

The team studied a group of patients with inherited primary osteoarthropathy and finger clubbing. Their findings pointed to PGE2, a compound produced by the body to mediate the effects of inflammation, which is then broken down by an enzyme 15-HPGD produced in the lungs.

In the study patients with finger clubbing were found to have a genetic mutation that prevented the production of 15-HPGD. "If you don't have this enzyme the PGE2 isn't broken down normally and simply builds up," said Bonthron.

In lung cancer overproduction of PGE2 by the tumour is likely to be the cause of clubbing. The researchers believe drugs preventing the PGE2 like aspirin may be effective in reducing the painful symptoms of finger clubbing.

www.leeds.ac.uk

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/Hide comment form

---