Study of serum C-reactive protein level and sputum eosinophils in patients with bronchial asthma

Abstract

Abstract 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.