In slow and rapid progressors who did not develop AE the number of total leukocytes (CD45+) was positively correlated to the yearly decline in FVC (r = 0.52, p = 0.005) and showed a negative trend with the duration of symptoms before diagnosis (r = -0.35, p = 0.05). The gene discussed is PTPRC; the disease is acrodermatitis enteropathica.