Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder
of the airways in which many cells play a role, in particular
mast cells, eosinophils, and lymphocytes. It is a major
chronic airway disorder that poses a serious public health
problem worldwide. C-reactive protein (CRP) is used mainly
as a marker of inflammation.
Aim of the work This study aims to clarify the relationship
between serum CRP, sputum eosinophils, and the degree
of airway inflammation in asthmatic patients (stable or in
exacerbation) for use as a prognostic marker in detecting
the severity of the disease.
Participants and methods The study was carried out on
60 patients who were admitted to the chest department,
Benha University Hospital. They were divided into two
groups: 40 patients with bronchial asthma (20 patients
with controlled asthma and 20 patients with exacerbated
asthma) and 20 apparently healthy individuals. Patients
and controls were subjected to a full assessment of history
and clinical examination. Spirometry, serum CRP level,
and sputum eosinophil count were measured in asthmatic
patients and in healthy control individuals.
Results Serum CRP was significantly increased in 85%
of patients with acute exacerbation, whereas only 30%
of patients with controlled asthma showed increased
serum CRP. Its level was markedly increased during
exacerbation. The sputum eosinophil count was highly
increased in the exacerbated asthma group and 25%
of patients in the controlled asthma group. There was
a negative correlation between CRP, forced expiratory
volume in the first second (FEV1), FVC, and FEV1/FVC
and a highly significant positive correlation with sputum
eosinophils.
Conclusion There is an association between airway
inflammation in bronchial asthma and elevated level of CRP
and sputum eosinophils. |
