The role of biomarkers and effectiveness of maintenance therapy in stable severe COPD

Abstract

Background: Our understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is changing all the time. We have moved to the recognition that COPD is multicomponent disease and there is a need for biological markers evaluation for better management of patients with this disease. Aim of the study: Determination of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with stable severe COPD. Materials and methods: The levels of PCT and CRP were investigated in 61 patients with severe COPD and in 15 of apparently healthy individuals (control group). All patients were prescribed maintenance treatment due to GOLD guidelines recommendations. Results of the study: In our study CRP has generally been found to be elevated in stable COPD (5,99 ± 0,74) mg/l. CRP levels were significantly higher in COPD patients than in healthy controls (1,64 ± 0,26) mg/l. In the stable state, there were no differences in the PCT measurement between patients and control (0.09 ± 0.04 µg/L). Conclusions: The identification of inflammatory biomarkers is important as CRP level has been found to be associated with disease severity, quality of life, exercise capacity and response to treatment. PCT has diagnostic and prognostic role in n acute exacerbations of COPD.