The role of the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with stable non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Meng-Heng Hsieh; Yueh-Fu Fang; Guan-Yuan Chen; Fu-Tsai Chung; Yuan-Chang Liu; Cheng-Hsien Wu; Yu-Chen Chang; Horng-Chyuan Lin

doi:10.1155/2013/795140

The role of the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with stable non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Pulm Med. 2013:2013:795140. doi: 10.1155/2013/795140. Epub 2013 Dec 7.

Authors

Meng-Heng Hsieh¹, Yueh-Fu Fang¹, Guan-Yuan Chen¹, Fu-Tsai Chung¹, Yuan-Chang Liu², Cheng-Hsien Wu², Yu-Chen Chang³, Horng-Chyuan Lin¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Department of Chest Medicine, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33342, Taiwan.
² Department of Radiology, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Department of Chest Medicine, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33342, Taiwan.
³ Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Department of Chest Medicine, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33342, Taiwan.

Abstract

Study Objectives. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and other clinical tools including high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in patients with stable non-CF bronchiectasis. Design. A within-subject correlational study of a group of patients with stable non-CF bronchiectasis, who were recruited from our outpatient clinic, was done over a two-year period. Measurements. Sixty-nine stable non-CF bronchiectasis patients were evaluated in terms of hs-CRP, 6-minute walk test, pulmonary function tests, and HRCT. Results. Circulating hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with HRCT scores (n = 69, r = 0.473, P < 0.001) and resting oxygenation saturation (r = -0.269, P = 0.025). HRCT severity scores significantly increased in patients with hs-CRP level of 4.26 mg/L or higher (mean ± SD 28.1 ± 13.1) compared to those with hs-CRP level less than 4.26 mg/L (31.7 ± 9.8, P = 0.004). Oxygenation saturation at rest was lower in those with hs-CRP level of 4.26 mg/L or higher (93.5 ± 4.4%) compared to those with hs-CRP level less than 4.26 mg/L (96.4 ± 1.6%, P = 0.001). Conclusion. There was a good correlation between serum hs-CRP and HRCT scores in the patients with stable non-CF bronchiectasis.