[C-reactive protein level and the correlation between lung function and CRP levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) level in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and to analyze the correlation between the lung function and CRP levels.


METHODS
Sputum and serum specimens were obtained from 30 COPD patients diagnosed according to the national criteria. The CRP level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The lung function indexes such as the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) were also determined.


RESULTS
The sputum CRP level in COPD patients was 30-50 times higher than that of the health controls. The sputum CRP level in COPD patients is significantly higher than that of serum in these patients (P < 0.05). The correlation between changes of serum and sputum CRP levels and sputum CRP levels was positive (r = 0.625, P < 0.05). The correlations between changes of serum CRP levels and FEV1 were negative (r = -0.610, -0.725, respectively, P < 0.001). And the correlations between changes of serum and sputum CRP levels and FEV1/FVC were negative (r = -0.639, -0.600, respectively, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The CRP may be secreted from the local respiratory tract. The damage of lung function in COPD patients is associated with the increase of CRP level.
Wu
Shang-jie
SJ
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China. wushangjie@sina.com
Chen
Ping
P
Jiang
Xi-nian
XN
Liu
Zhi-jun
ZJ
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014797:Vital Capacity
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein