Characteristics of the Acute Phase Inflammatory Marker — C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Chronic Bronchial Affections

Chronic lung diseases, particularly those affecting the bronchial tree, are a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. This emphasizes the importance of addressing issues related to the prevention, timely detection and treatment of conditions such as chronic bronchitis (CB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COPD with bronchiectasis. The use of highly sensitive methods for monitoring likely exacerbations and predicting the development of comorbidities in this patient cohort is justified. Objective — to study the nature and severity of changes in the acute phase inflammatory marker — C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with chronic lung diseases. Materials and methods. A total of 62 hospitalized patients with CB, COPD and COPD with secondary bronchiectasis were examined. All patients underwent clinical, laboratory and instrumental investigations. The serum CRP level was measured in peripheral blood. A control group comprised 15 practically healthy individuals. Results and discussion. It was found that chronic inflammatory lung diseases were more prevalent in men (in the CB group — 55.0 %, in the COPD group — 86.96 %, in the COPD with secondary bronchiecta­sis group — 93.7 %). The CRP level in peripheral blood serum was elevated in all groups: in the CB group — (5.5 ± ± 0.12) mg/l, in the COPD group — (7.54 ± 0.98) mg/l, in the COPD with secondary bronchiectasis group — (12.93 ± 1.23) mg/l. This indicator was statistically significantly higher by 4.0, 5.6, and 9.6 times, respectively (all p < 0.001) compared to the control group. The proportion of smokers was 60.0 % in the CB group, 73.9 % in the COPD group and 78.94 % in the COPD with secondary bronchiec­tasis group. Conclusions. Harmful habits, especially smoking, contribute significantly to the widespread occurrence of chronic lung diseases. Exacerbations and progression of chronic inflammatory processes in the bronchial tree are associated with an elevated level of CRP. The level of CRP significantly increases with the development of concomitant changes, particularly the presence of secondary bronchiectasis. There is a correlation between smoking and the severity of chronic inflammatory lung diseases, as well as a relation­ship between the severity of COPD and the duration of smoking.