Original scientific paper

Hematological markers of anemia and C-reactive protein in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Dolores Pancirov ; Department of Biochemistry and Hematology Diagnosis, Dr. Ivo Pedišić General Hospital, Sisak, Croatia
Vanja Radišić Biljak ; Medical Biochemistry Laboratory, Sunce IHC, International Health Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Gordana Stjepanović ; Department of Pulmonology, Dr. Ivo Pedišić General Hospital, Sisak, Croatia
Ivana Čepelak ; Department of Medical Biochemistry and Hematology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the values of hematological markers of anemia and of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in order to define the presence of anemia, degree of systemic inflammation and correlations between the analytes.
Material and methods: The study included 150 COPD patients (FEV1 = 48 ± 21%) and 51 control subjects (FEV1 = 106 ± 15%). Pursuant to GOLD guidelines, the patients were divided into four subgroups and according to WHO criteria for anemia into two subgroups: subjects with and those without anemia. Serum CRP concentration was determined by immunoturbidimetric method and hematological markers were determined by flow cytometry.
Results: No significant differences were found in the values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit either between the group of all COPD patients and control subjects or between GOLD subgroups and control subjects. Anemia was present in 24% of COPD patients. CRP concentration was significantly higher in the group of all COPD patients, in all GOLD subgroups (I, IIA, IIB and III) and in subgroups with and without anemia as compared to control subjects (P < 0.001 all). CRP specificity and sensitivity were determined by ROC analysis and showed good diagnostic accuracy for CRP in COPD patients. Correlation coefficient between CRP and hemoglobin and hematocrit values revealed a good negative correlation (r = -0.60 and r = -0.59, respectively; P < 0.001 both) only in GOLD subgroup III.
Conclusion: CRP concentration, a marker of systemic inflammation, was signiVcantly higher in COPD patients and in all GOLD subgroups as compared to the control group. Good negative correlation was recorded between hematocrit and hemoglobin values and advanced inflammation (CRP concentration) in GOLD subgroup III. The rate of anemia was in agreement with literature data.

Keywords

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; anemia; C-reactive protein; GOLD guidelines

Hrčak ID:

40856

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/40856

Publication date:

24.9.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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