C-reactive protein's role in diagnosing obstructive airway disease
Author Information
Author(s): Schneider Antonius, Dinat Geert-Jan, Maag Inko, Gantner Lutz, Meyer Joachim Franz, Szecsenyi Joachim
Primary Institution: University Medical Hospital Heidelberg
Hypothesis
Can C-reactive protein (CRP) improve the diagnostic accuracy of clinical signs and symptoms in patients suspected of having obstructive airway disease (OAD)?
Conclusion
The diagnostic accuracy of clinical signs and symptoms was low, but CRP improved accuracy when combined with dyspnea and smoking history.
Supporting Evidence
- 37 out of 60 patients (62%) were diagnosed with obstructive airway disease.
- The best cut-off value for CRP was found at 2 mg/l.
- Self-reported wheezing was significantly related to OAD with an odds ratio of 3.4.
- Coughing was inversely related to OAD with an odds ratio of 0.2.
- CRP levels increased with the number of pack years smoked.
Takeaway
Doctors can use a blood test for C-reactive protein to help figure out if someone has breathing problems, especially if they also have trouble breathing or smoke.
Methodology
A cross-sectional diagnostic study where 60 adult patients underwent spirometry and CRP measurement.
Potential Biases
Potential underestimation of OAD prevalence due to patients not returning PEF meters.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and could not differentiate between asthma and COPD.
Participant Demographics
Two-thirds of participants were female, with an average age of 46 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.004 for CRP
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.4–13.8 for CRP diagnostic odds ratio
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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