The relationship between inflammatory markers and disability in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Prim Care Respir J. 2007 Aug;16(4):236-40. doi: 10.3132/pcrj.2007.00047.

Abstract

Aims: To examine relationships between markers of systemic inflammation and functional status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: 41 COPD patients were stratified using the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea scale. Six-minute walking distance (6MWD), Quadriceps (% body weight) (QBW), St George's Hospital Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale (LCADL), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL6), tumour necrosis factor alpha, and neopterin were measured. Relationships between variables and differences in inflammatory markers between MRC categories were tested.

Results: Inflammation increased with MRC grade and was significantly different across grades; CRP (p=0.002) and IL6 (p=0.04). Relationships were evident between CRP, 6MWD, LCADL and SGRQ, r=-0.47, 0.50, 0.43 (all p<0.01) respectively, and between IL6, QBW and LCADL, rho=-0.36, 0.51 (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Measures of systemic inflammation, and in particular CRP, may prove to be useful markers in the assessment of COPD severity in primary care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • C-Reactive Protein / immunology
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Disabled Persons / classification
  • Exercise Tolerance
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neopterin / blood
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / immunology*
  • Quality of Life
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Neopterin
  • C-Reactive Protein