Differences in biomarkers of systemic inflammation in two phenotypes of COPD patients

Introduction: Classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseasse (COPD) is usually based on the severity of airflow limitation, whit no reflect the heterogeneity of this disease. The aim of this study was to establish differences in biomarkers of systemic inflammation in two phenotypes of COPD patients, through determination protein-C reactive (PCR), fibrinogen, IL-6 and TNF-α in plasma, in stable COPD. Method: A total of 60 subjects, 40 stable COPD (diagnostic and severity based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) and 20 controls.We established two groups of patients based in the carbon monoxide gas transfer/alveolar volume (KCO) and visual detection of emphysema in computed tomography (CT). A: Phenotype emphysema (n=19), KC0<70% an CT compatible; B: phenotype chronic bronchitis (n=21), KC0<70% and CT without emphysema. Plasmatic determination of fibrinogen, PCR,% neutrophils,IL-6, and TNF (RIA). Results: The values of fibrinόgeno/PCR did not show significant differences between both phenotypes of COPD (B 432,200±0,470 mg/dl / 0,542±0,14 mg/l), (A 452,368±70,503 mg/dl / 0,842±0,935 mg/l), but compared with controls (C 346,000±48,098 mg/dl / 0,206±0,175 mg/l) we have found significant differences (p<0,05). IL-6/TNF-α in pg/ml (B 29,985±4,123 / 39,814±17,354) (A 30,694±3,612 / 33,784±13,871) were significant higher in the COPD than controls (21,277±6,004 / 18,900±6,617) p<0,05, but non differences were show between the two phenotypes. Leukocytes, %neutrophils, PCR and fibrinogen in blood showed a negative correlation with the %FEV1 (p<0,05). Conclusion: No differences in the two phenotypes of COPD stable was show in the biomarkers of inflammation studied.