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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Aug 7:13:82.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-13-82.

Association of biomarkers of inflammation and cell adhesion with lung function in the elderly: a population-based study

Antje Kuhlmann  1 , Inga Sif Ólafsdóttir, Lars Lind, Johan Sundström, Christer Janson
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Association of biomarkers of inflammation and cell adhesion with lung function in the elderly: a population-based study

Antje Kuhlmann et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Background: Low lung function is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It is therefore of interest to identify biomarkers that are associated with impaired lung function. The aim of the study was to analyse associations of biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers with lung function in an elderly general population.

Methods: Lung function (FEV1 and FVC) and a panel of 15 inflammatory markers from blood samples were analysed in 888 subjects aged 70 years. Biomarkers included cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count.

Results: Leukocyte count and CRP were independently associated with FEV1 after adjustments for other inflammatory markers, sex, BMI, current smoking and pack-years of smoking. In a similar model, leukocyte count and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) were the biomarkers that were significantly associated with FVC. Subjects that had both leukocyte count and CRP in the lowest tertile had a FEV1 that was 9% of predicted higher than subjects with leukocyte count and CRP in the highest tertile (103±16 vs. 94±21% of predicted, p=0.0002) (mean±SD). A difference of 8% of predicted in FVC was found between subjects with leukocyte count and VCAM-1 in the lowest and highest tertiles, respectively (106±18 vs. 98±19% of predicted, p=0.002).

Conclusion: Leucocyte count, CRP and VCAM-1 were found to relate to poorer lung function. A dose related association was found for the combination leukocyte count and CRP towards FEV1 and leukocyte and VCAM-1 towards FVC. This indicates that combination of two biomarkers yielded more information than assessing them one by one when analysing the association between systemic inflammation and lung function.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
FEV1 (% predicted) in participants divided by tertile of leukocyte count (<4.1, 4.1-6.0, >6.0 x109/L) and tertitles of C-reactive protein (CRP) (<0.78, 0.78-1.8, >1.8 mg/L).
Figure 2
Figure 2
FVC (% predicted) in participants divided by tertile of leukocyte count (<4.1, 4.1-6.0, >6.0 x109/L) and tertitles of VCAM-1 (<470, 470–570, >570 μg/L).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimates (95% CI) of associations between biomarkers and FEV1 in men and women.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Estimates (95% CI) of associations between biomarkers and FVC in men and women.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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