The Relationship between C-Reactive Protein and COPD Patients

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable chronic inflammatory respiratory disease that affects 210 million people globally. Due to inflammation the resultant IL6 increases the level of C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP) from hepatocytes. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of C-Reactive Protein in COPD patients. The study also includes the key role of C-reactive protein (CRP) in assessing the acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which has proven to be more valuable. This was a prospective study conducted over a period of three months between February 2021 and April 2021 at the department of General Medicine in Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Chennai. In a study of 50 patients, 25 were patients with COPD and 25 were a control group of healthy people. High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), blood gases, spirometry, Body Mass Index (BMI), 6 Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) and GOLD stage of severity were measured. The serum hs-CRP was then evaluated for any correlation with the predictors of outcomes of COPD subjects. hs-CRP levels were higher in patients with COPD than in healthy individuals (4.82 / 0.8 mgl). A correlation was found between hs-CRP and the following variables: FEV1 (r = -0.813; p < 0.01), 6MWD (r = -0.876; p < 0.01), GOLD stage (r = 0.797; p < 0.01) and evaluated. This study revealed that there is certain increase in hs-CRP in COPD patients due to inflammation. It acts not only as an inflammatory diagnostic marker, but also plays a role as predictor for the outcome of the disease and reducing the mortality rate.