title: The acute effect of cigarette smoking on the high-sensitivity CRP and fibrinogen biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The evidence on the acute effects of smoking on biomarkers is limited. Our aim was to study the acute effect of smoking on disease-related biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The acute effect of smoking on serum high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) and plasma fibrinogen and its association with disease severity was studied by challenging 31 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with cigarette smoking and repeatedly measuring these biomarkers before and after smoking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fibrinogen and hs-CRP increased directly after smoking by 9.4 mg/dl (95% CI: 4.2-14.5) and 0.13 mg/l (95% CI: 0.03-0.23), respectively. Fibrinogen levels remained elevated after 35 min, whereas hs-CRP normalized. Pearson's correlation coefficient between the hs-CRP change and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity was 0.25 (p = 0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fibrinogen and hs-CRP increased directly after smoking in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Their association with disease risk and/or progression remains to be demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary & Community Care, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde, Huispost 117, Geert Grooteplein Noord 21, 6525EZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. w.vandijk@aios.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Wouter D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.forename: Reinier
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akkermans
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Heijdra
authors.forename: Chris van
authors.initials: Cv
authors.lastname: Weel
authors.forename: Tjard R J
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Schermer
authors.forename: Paul T J
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Scheepers
authors.forename: Jacques W M
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lenders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein