Volume 20 Issue 4 December 2011 | Research Paper |
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Differences in local and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive airways disease
Pages 407-414
*Lisa Tilemanna, Lena Gindnerb, Franz Meyerc, Joachim Szecsenyib, Antonius Schneidera
a
Technische Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Institute of General Practice, Munich, Germany
b
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
c
Department of Cardiology, Angiology, Respiratory Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Medical Center, Heidelberg, Germany
Received 27 March 2010 • Accepted 7 May 2011 • Online 2 August 2011
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterised by airway and systemic inflammation, but little is known about differences and similarities in inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive airways disease. METHODS: In 210 adult patients presenting to their general practitioners with symptoms suggestive of obstructive airways disease, lung function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), blood eosinophils, and serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and IgE were measured. RESULTS: hs-CRP levels were increased in COPD patients (p=0.009), whereas FENO, IgE, and eosinophils were increased in patients with asthma (p=0.009, p=0.041, and p=0.009, respectively). In the ROC analysis, hs-CRP had the largest area under the curve (AUC=0.651; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.552 to 0.749), with a specifity of 83% and a sensitivity of 42% for the diagnosis of COPD. FENO was the most accurate marker in the diagnosis of asthma (AUC=0.618; 95% CI 0.529 to 0.706). Serum hs-CRP levels correlated with the number of smoking pack-years (r=0.218, p=0.001) and inversely with lung function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of serum hs-CRP, IgE, blood eosinophils, and FENO identify distinct aspects of local and systemic inflammation in patients with obstructive airways disease. This might help to differentiate between asthma and COPD in primary care patients when spirometry is not available.
Cite as: Tilemann L, Gindner L, Meyer F, Szecsenyi J, Schneider A. Differences in local and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with obstructive airways disease. Prim Care Respir J 2011;20(4):407-414. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4104/pcrj.2011.00069
Keywords
Asthma, COPD, diagnosis, inflammatory markers, local, systemic
* Corresponding author. Lisa Tilemann Tel: +49-89-6146589-13 Fax: +49-89-6146589-15 Email: talysat@gmx.de | |
