HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (11) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Takemura, M. Articles by Mishima, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Takemura, M. Articles by Mishima, M.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein in asthma

¹ Depts of Respiratory Medicine, and ² Physiotherapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

CORRESPONDENCE: H. Matsumoto, Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Postgraduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. Fax: 81 757514643. E-mail: hmatsumo{at}kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Keywords: Airway inflammation, asthma, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, induced sputum

Received: October 2, 2005
Accepted November 25, 2005

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.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J B Morjaria, A J Chauhan, K S Babu, R Polosa, D E Davies, and S T Holgate The role of a soluble TNF{alpha} receptor fusion protein (etanercept) in corticosteroid refractory asthma: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial Thorax, July 1, 2008; 63(7): 584 - 591. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Allayee, J. Hartiala, W. Lee, M. Mehrabian, C. G. Irvin, D. V. Conti, and J. J. Lima The Effect of Montelukast and Low-Dose Theophylline on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Asthmatics Chest, September 1, 2007; 132(3): 868 - 874. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. P. Anderson COPD, asthma and C-reactive protein. Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2006; 27(5): 874 - 876. [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. F. M. Wouters The systemic face of airway diseases: the role of C-reactive protein. Eur. Respir. J., May 1, 2006; 27(5): 877 - 879. [Full Text] [PDF]