Abstract
Background: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an inflammatory mediator that is increased in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and can be used as diagnostic and prognostic adjuvant to assess the severity of disease.
Aim of Study: This study was the difference in the CRP level between stable COPD and AECOPD patients.
Subjects and Methods: Sixty COPD patients (30 with stable COPD and 30 with AECOPD) were included in this study and results were compared to those of 10 healthy age/sex-matched controls. Clinical history was taken and full clinical examination was done to assess the patients' conditions and rule out any co-morbidities that could be associated with increased CRP level. Blood samples were drawn to measure the CRP level, ABG and TLC. Pulmonary function test was also done.
Results: CRP level was significantly higher in COPD patients compared to healthy controls (p-value <0.0001). It was also significantly higher in AECOPD patients compared to patients with stable COPD (p-value <0.0001).
Conclusion: CRP level is generally increased in COPD patients, being significantly higher in the AECOPD patients than the stable ones, and thus can be used as a prognostic marker to assess the severity of the disease.