High sensitivity C-reactive protein in asthma

Abstract

Asthma is characterised by chronic inflammation of the airways, but the relevance of high-sensitivity assays for C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), which are known to be a sensitive marker of low-grade systemic inflammation, has not been fully studied in asthma. The objective was to examine serum hs-CRP levels in patients with asthma and their relationship to clinical characteristics and degree of airway inflammation. Serum hs-CRP levels were cross-sectionally examined in steroid-naive (n = 22) and steroid-inhaling (n = 23) adult patients with asthma and healthy controls (n = 14). All were nonsmokers. Serum hs-CRP levels were significantly increased in steroid-naive patients (mean+/-sd 1.33+/-1.48 mg.L(-1)) compared with controls (0.21+/-0.30 mg.L(-1)), but not in patients on inhaled corticosteroid. Among steroid-naive patients, serum hs-CRP levels significantly negatively correlated with indices of pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity and forced mid-expiratory flow) and positively with sputum eosinophil count. Among patients on inhaled corticosteroid, hs-CRP levels did not correlate with any indices. In conclusion, an increase in serum C-reactive protein levels measured by high-sensitivity assays may be associated with airflow obstruction and airway inflammation, and may serve as a surrogate marker of airway inflammation in asthma.

Systemic Inflammation and Its Response to Treatment in Patients With Asthma

“…These factors have not been taken into account in previous studies of systemic inflammation in asthma. [1][2][3] We also correlated the systemic-inflammation markers with various clinical measurements, and found significant negative correlation of the systemic-inflammation markers and FEV 1 , FVC, FEV 1 /FVC, and FEF 25-75 . Takemura et al 3 found similar correlations between C-reactive protein and pulmonary function.…”

“…[1][2][3] We also correlated the systemic-inflammation markers with various clinical measurements, and found significant negative correlation of the systemic-inflammation markers and FEV 1 , FVC, FEV 1 /FVC, and FEF 25-75 . Takemura et al 3 found similar correlations between C-reactive protein and pulmonary function. This implies that impaired respiratory function is associated with higher background systemic inflammation, but it is not certain whether systemic inflammation does influence pulmonary function.…”

“…[1][2][3] Systemic inflammation decreased significantly after 6 weeks of asthma treatment, although various treatment aspects were not examined. The importance of systemic inflammation in asthma and its effect on comorbidities merit further research.…”

“…The inflammation is both local to the lungs and systemic, [1][2][3] and may be a risk factor for cardiovascular comorbidities. 4 Measurements of serum C-reactive protein have suggested low-grade systemic inflammation in several disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular diseases, and infections.…”

Childhood interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and atopic disorders as risk factors for hypomanic symptoms in young adulthood: a longitudinal birth cohort study

“…A longitudinal association between asthma and subsequent hospitalization for schizophrenia, and adult diagnoses of depression has been reported (Timonen et al 2003;Pedersen et al 2012;Sanna et al 2014), and three longitudinal studies have reported increased rates of bipolar disorder in individuals with asthma (Liang & Chikritzhs, 2013;Chen et al 2014;Lin et al 2014). IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP) and other inflammatory markers are associated with asthma and eczema (Takemura et al 2006;Arif et al 2007;Rincon & Irvin, 2012). However, to our knowledge there have been no previous studies showing temporal associations between inflammatory markers, atopic conditions and features of hypomania.…”