title: C-reactive protein levels in the serum of asthmatic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease caused by immune cells such as T lymphocytes and eosinophils. Recently, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) assays have become available for detecting small changes in CRP levels within the reference range, allowing for the evaluation of clinical inflammation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between hs-CRP levels and bronchial asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected blood samples from 109 patients with bronchial asthma, with or without attacks, and measured serum eosinophil cationic protein levels, pulmonary function, and serum CRP levels using an hs-CRP assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean serum hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in patients without attacks (0.473 mg/L) and with attacks (0.908 mg/L) (P < .001 for both) than in controls (0.262 mg/L). Serum hs-CRP levels were inversely correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity in asthmatic patients (r = -0.4915; P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum hs-CRP levels may be related to the state of asthma exacerbation and allergic inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Laboratory Medicine, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
authors.forename: Miyoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Shigeharu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ueki
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Takahito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Masahide
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Norihiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kayaba
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chihara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein; C479220:RNASE3 protein, human