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

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 stab le 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 con trol subjects (FEV1 = 106 +/- 15%). Pursuant to GOLD guide lines, the patients we re divided in to four sub groups and according to WHO criteria for anemia in to two sub groups: subjects with and those without anemia. Se rum CRP concentration was deter mined by immunoturbidimetric met hod and hematological markers were determined by flow cytometry. Results: No significant differences were found in the values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit either be tween the group of all COPD patients and con trol subjects or between GOLD sub groups and con trol subjects. Anemia was present in 24% of COPD patients. CRP concentration was significantly higher in the group of all COPD patients, in all GOLD sub groups ( I, IIA, IIB and III) and in sub groups with and without anemia as compared to con trol subjects ( P < 0.001 all). CRP specificity and sensitivity were determined by ROC ana lysis and showed good diagnostic accuracy for CRP in COPD patients. Correlation coefficient be tween 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 sub group III. Conclusion: CRP concentration, a marker of systemic inflammation, was significantly higher in COPD patients and in all GOLD sub groups as compared to the con trol group. Good negative cor relation was re corded be tween hematocrit and hemoglobin values and advanced inflammation ( CRP concentration) in GOLD sub group III. The rate of anemia was in agreement with literature data.