title: Effects of fluticasone on systemic markers of inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Systemic inflammation is present in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which has been linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We determined the effects of oral and inhaled corticosteroids on serum markers of inflammation in patients with stable COPD. We recruited 41 patients with mild to moderate COPD. After 4 weeks during which inhaled corticosteroids were discontinued, patients were assigned to fluticasone (500 mcg twice a day), oral prednisone (30 mg/day), or placebo over 2 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of fluticasone at 500 mcg twice a day and another 8 weeks at 1,000 mcg twice a day. Withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids increased baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) levels by 71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16-152%). Two weeks with inhaled fluticasone reduced CRP levels by 50% (95% CI, 9-73%); prednisone reduced it by 63% (95% CI, 29-81%). No significant changes were observed with the placebo. An additional 8 weeks of fluticasone were associated with CRP levels that were lower than those at baseline (a 29% reduction; 95% CI, 7-46%). Inhaled and oral corticosteroids are effective in reducing serum CRP levels in patients with COPD and suggest their potential use for improving cardiovascular outcomes in COPD.
authors.affiliation: James Hogg iCAPTURE Center for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, St. Paul's Hospital, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
authors.forename: Don D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Sin
authors.forename: Paige
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lacy
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: York
authors.forename: S F Paul
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Man
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000068298:Fluticasone; D011241:Prednisone