Airflow limitation, lung volumes and systemic inflammation in a general population

Abstract

Although several levels of evidence have suggested an association between systemic inflammation and spirometric lung volumes, data addressing the potential interrelationship between airflow limitation and inflammatory markers are sparse and remain controversial.Potential associations between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen and lung function were investigated in 1,466 individuals aged 25-85 yrs, representing a general population. Within this cross-sectional population, data on body plethysmography, spirometry, helium dilution and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL,CO) were analysed.After adjustment for potential confounding factors, such as smoking, obesity and cardiorespiratory fitness, there was an inverse association of hsCRP with forced expiratory and static lung volumes. In neither apparently healthy nor the entire population was inflammation associated with airflow limitation in central airways. In smokers only, higher hsCRP and fibrinogen were associated with an impaired DL,CO.This study shows that higher levels of hsCRP are associated with decreased lung volumes in a general population over a wide age range. A consistent interrelationship of central airflow limitation and inflammation was not verifiable. Smoking is related to an impaired DL,CO in association with an increase in systemic inflammation.

Periodontitis is related to lung volumes and airflow limitation: a cross-sectional study

“…Thus, systemic inflammation might only be of minor importance when considering the link between periodontal diseases and lung volume. Nevertheless, results are in agreement with others showing that hs-CRP and fibrinogen were associated with TLC [17][18][19][20].…”

“…Elevated levels of cytokines and higher levels of circulating inflammatory markers, such as CRP and fibrinogen, have not only been associated with periodontal diseases [16], but also with reduced lung function [17][18][19][20]. However, restricting models to those showing significant associations with mean CAL after full adjustment, inclusion of fibrinogen and hs-CRP did not reduce coefficients for mean CAL by .5%.…”

“…Main and supplemental analyses Lung function variables Details of lung function examinations that have been used in this study are given elsewhere [20]. In brief, lung function examinations were performed using a body plethysmograph equipped with a pneumotachograph (MasterScreen Body/Diff; Jaeger, Hoechberg, Germany), meeting the American Thoracic Society criteria [29] and recommendations of the European Respiratory Society [30,31].…”

“…Another pathway may be upregulated inflammation in the lungs by systemic low-grade inflammation induced by periodontal diseases [16]. Systemic inflammation markers have also been associated with reduced spirometric lung volumes [17][18][19][20]. So far, the interrelationship between periodontal disease, inflammation and lung function remains poorly understood.…”

“…Both diseases have been related to systemic inflammation [16][17][18][19][20]. Individuals with airflow limitation demonstrate airway and systemic inflammation, depending on the severity of lung disease, physical fitness and potential comorbidities [17][18][19].…”