title: COPD assessment test score and serum C-reactive protein levels in stable COPD patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An eight-item questionnaire of the COPD assessment test (CAT) is widely used to quantify the impact of COPD on the patient's health status. C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with disease severity and adverse health outcomes of patients with COPD. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between CAT score and serum CRP levels in stable COPD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated the medical records of 226 patients with CAT and serum CRP measured within a week at Samsung Medical Center between October 2013 and October 2015.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum CRP levels had a significantly positive relationship with CAT score (Spearman'sr=0.20,P=0.003). Patients with elevated serum CRP levels (>0.3 mg/dL) were significantly more likely to have CAT scores of ≥14. The adjusted odds ratio for elevated serum CRP levels in total CAT score was 1.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.09). Among CAT components, cough (adjustedP=0.005), phlegm (adjustedP=0.001), breathlessness going up hills/stairs (adjustedP=0.005), low confidence leaving home (adjustedP=0.002), and feeling low in energy (adjustedP=0.019) were independently associated with elevated serum CRP levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In stable COPD patients, serum CRP levels were independently associated with total CAT score and CAT components related to respiratory symptoms, confidence leaving home, and energy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University School of Medicine, Goyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Koo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul.
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul.
authors.forename: Byeong-Ho
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul.
authors.forename: Won-Jung
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul.
authors.forename: Hye Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D066106:Seoul; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: C-reactive protein; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test; inflammation; quality of life