Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: To determine the serum CRP level in patients with COPD and its correlation with disease severity. Methods: The Department of Pulmonary Medicine did a prospective research. The control group consisted of 60 COPD patients and 60 asymptomatic persons. Spirometry tests were performed on COPD patients, and the severity of the disease was assessed using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. The key inclusion criteria for COPD patients were symptoms or a history of COPD, as well as FEV1/FVC less than 70% after using a bronchodilator. Results: In the COPD group, 48.33% noted cigarette smoking during the study, 15% reported cigarette smoking in the past, and 36.67% mentioned a history of baking. In the control group, 10 subjects (16.67%) noted cigarette smoking during the study; 3 subjects (5%) mentioned cigarette smoking in the past, and 7 subjects (11.67%) reported a history of baking. The correlation between serum hsCRP and age, FEV1, PaO2, and FEV1/FVC was studied in patients with COPD, where the Pearson correlation coefficients between hsCRP and the above-mentioned variables equaled 0.19, 0.09, -0.34, and -0.06, respectively (P<0.05 in the correlation between hsCRP and FEV1, and P>0.2 in other cases). Regarding smoking and its relationship with the severity of COPD, 29 patients reported as current smokers, where nine subjects had moderate COPD, 17 subjects had severe COPD, and 1 subject had very severe COPD. In this category, there was a significant relationship between the severity of COPD and current smoking (P=0.035). Furthermore, 9 subjects reported as past smokers. In this group, there was a significant correlation between the severity of COPD and a history of smoking (P<0.001). Moreover, from among patients with COPD, 22 patients noted a history of baking. In this group, there was no significant correlation between the severity of COPD and a history of baking (P=0.33). Conclusion: The current study found that plasma CRP is not only helpful in assessing inflammation in COPD, but also beneficial as a marker in monitoring inflammation throughout COPD therapy. CRP is reduced with inhaled corticosteroid therapy. Furthermore, in patients with COPD, screening of vitamin B12 and folic acid insufficiency is recommended, as is examination of blood IL-6 levels in patients with COPD exacerbation.