Assessment of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a marker of airway inflammation in asthma.
BACKGROUND
Limited data are available on the presence of a systemic measure of inflammation in asthma. One marker that has been reported is C-reactive protein (CRP).


OBJECTIVE
To examine the correlation between high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and asthma activity.


METHODS
Fifty-four patients with physician-diagnosed asthma, ages 6 to 58 years, were enrolled in the study. In addition to medical history and physical examination, asthma was assessed according to the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) control score, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and spirometry. The relationships between hsCRP and each of the asthma control measures (ie, NAEPP control scores, presence of wheeze, FeNO, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]) were calculated.


RESULTS
The hsCRP levels in all patients ranged from less than 0.5 to 14.1 mg/L, with a mean (SD) of 2.1 (2.9 mg/L), compared with less than 0.5 mg/L expected in healthy individuals. The FEV1 percentage predicted ranged from 48% to 130%, with a mean (SD) of 96.5% (17.5%). Correlation coefficients for hsCRP vs FEV1 and FeNO were 0.07 and -0.03, respectively. Neither of these values reached statistical significance. The chi2 analysis values for hsCRP vs the NAEPP scores, wheeze, FEV1, and FeNO were 0.00, 2.16, 1.32, and 2.08, respectively, with none being statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study of patients with asthma, mostly of a mild severity, did not reveal any significant correlation between hsCRP and wheeze, NAEPP control score, FEV1, or FeNO. Larger studies with a more diverse level of asthma control are warranted in examining the utility of hsCRP in the evaluation of asthma.
Ramirez
Daniel
D
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana 71130, USA.
Patel
Parag
P
Casillas
Adrian
A
Cotelingam
James
J
Boggs
Peter
P
Bahna
Sami L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001944:Breath Tests; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002097:C-Reactive Protein