Relationship between C-Reactive Protein and Stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease that obstructs airflow. Here, we evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the stages of COPD.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 60 patients diagnosed with COPD aged between 35 to 70 years was performed, and the relationship between CRP and stages of COPD was noted. Data was tabulated and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Fifty percent of the study participants were aged between 51 to 60 years, with a mean of 55.85 ± 7.64 years. According to the Global Initiative for Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, 50 percent of the study participants were diagnosed with Stage II COPD and 35% with Stage III COPD. The mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 84 ±2.39 percent in stage I COPD and 28.20 ±1.48 percent in stage IV. The mean CRP levels recorded were 3.91 ±1.26 mg/dL in stage I COPD (p<0.05), 5.79 ±1.23 mg/dL in stage II (p<0.05), 9.01 ±0.96 mg/dL in stage III (p<0.05) and 11.98 ±0.73 stage IV (p<0.05). Statistically significant incremental mean CRP level was noted with progressive stages of COPD.

Conclusions: COPD is a systemic inflammatory disease in which CRP levels significantly increase with the progression of the disease. This warrants serial measurement of CRP in patients with COPD to monitor the progression of the disease. In addition, the measurement of CRP should also be considered in stable COPD patients to document the baseline for follow-up.