C-Reactive Protein Levels Are Elevated in Asthma and Asthma-like Conditions

Ann M. Pellizzaro; Rita M. Heuertz

doi:10.29074/ascls.23.4.223

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Ann M. Pellizzaro, MT(ASCP)
1. Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Rita M. Heuertz, PhD, MT(ASCP)⇑
1. Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104-1111

Address for correspondence: Rita M. Heuertz, PhD, MT(ASCP), Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University, 3437 Caroline Street, St. Louis, MO 63104-1111, 314-977-8610, FAX: 314-977-8503, heuertzr{at}slu.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Asthma is a chronic disease involving airway hyperresponsiveness. It was proposed that asthma/chronic shortness of breath elicit chronic systemic inflammation even in the absence of episodic events.

DESIGN: Volunteers completed questionnaires relevant to asthma and/or dyspnea and consented to C-reactive protein (CRP) quantitation. Subject groups were: control (no reported dyspnea) and asthma/shortness of breath [dyspnea] group.

SETTING: Studies were performed in the Saint Louis metropolitan area.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants consisted of volunteers aged 18-57. Inclusion criteria were good health, not pregnant, weight >110 pounds and absence of anti-inflammatory medicine use.

RESULTS: Serum CRP ranged from undetectable to 22,013 ng/mL. Mean results for asthmatic/dyspnea (n=22) and control (n=27) groups were 4,203±1,323 ng/mL and 1,741±467 ng/mL (p<0.05) respectively.

CONCLUSION: Individuals with asthma/asthma-like symptoms have chronic low levels of systemic inflammation despite the absence of episodic pulmonary events. Understanding chronic systemic inflammation relevant to asthma/asthma-like conditions may lead to design of targeted therapeutics.

ABBREVIATIONS: hsCRP = high sensitivity C-reactive protein