CRP is associated with lung function decline in men but not women: a prospective study.
Systemic inflammation is associated with impaired lung function. Studies, most cross-sectional, report a stronger association between systemic inflammation and lung function impairment in men than women. The aim was to evaluate gender differences in the longitudinal association between systemic inflammation and lung function. We used data from randomly chosen residents of Reykjavík, born 1940-54, who were investigated in three stages: Baseline (1973-75; 1983-85) and follow-up (2001-03). The participants (n = 1049, 574 women) had a mean age of 28 ± 6 years at baseline and mean follow-up time of 27 ± 4 years. At each stage lung function (FEV(1) and FVC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. Change in FEV(1) (p = 0.04) and FVC (p = 0.01) was associated with baseline CRP in men but not in women. In the multiple variable analysis, CRP at baseline was associated with a decline in FEV(1) (-3.1 mL/year, 95% CI: -5.1, -0.99) and FVC (-2.5 mL/year, 95% CI: -4.4, -0.65) in men but not in women. Similarly during follow-up, change in CRP, standardised to 1SD, was associated with a decline in FEV(1) (-0.19 mL/year, 95% CI: -0.30, -0.07) and FVC (-0.11 mL/year, 95% CI: -0.22, -0.01)) in men but not in women. This prospective study confirms a stronger association between systemic inflammation and lung function decline in men than in women. This may indicate a gender difference in the mechanisms of lung function decline.
Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. inga_sif.olafsdottir@medsci.uu.se
Inga Sif
IS
Ólafsdóttir
Thórarinn
T
Gíslason
Vilmundur
V
Gudnason
Bryndís
B
Benediktsdóttir
Ísleifur
Í
Ólafsson
Thor
T
Aspelund
Bjarni
B
Thjódleifsson
Christer
C
Janson
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein