Original Article

Inflammatory markers and mortality among US adults with obstructive lung function

Corresponding Author

Earl S. Ford

Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

Correspondence: Earl Ford, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, MS F78, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Timothy J. Cunningham,

Timothy J. Cunningham

Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

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David M. Mannino,

David M. Mannino

Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

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Earl S. Ford,

Corresponding Author

Earl S. Ford

Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

Timothy J. Cunningham,

Timothy J. Cunningham

Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

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David M. Mannino,

David M. Mannino

Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

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First published: 04 March 2015

https://doi.org/10.1111/resp.12499

Citations: 12

(Associate Editor: Bob Hancox).

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Abstract

Background and objective

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by an inflammatory state of uncertain significance. The objective of this study was to examine the association between elevated inflammatory marker count (white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen) on all-cause mortality in a national sample of US adults with obstructive lung function (OLF).

Methods

Data for 1144 adults aged 40–79 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III Linked Mortality Study were analysed. Participants entered the study from 1988 to 1994, and mortality surveillance was conducted through 2006. White blood cell count and fibrinogen were dichotomized at their medians, and C-reactive protein was divided into >3 and ≤3 g/L. The number of elevated inflammatory markers was summed to create a score of 0–3.

Results

The age-adjusted distribution of the number of elevated inflammatory markers differed significantly among participants with normal lung function, mild OLF, and moderate or worse OLF. Of the three dichotomized markers, only fibrinogen was significantly associated with mortality among adults with any OLF (maximally adjusted hazard ratio 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–1.91). The maximally adjusted hazard ratios for having 1, 2 or 3 elevated markers were 1.17 (95% CI: 0.71–1.94), 1.44 (95% CI: 0.89–2.32) and 2.08 (95% CI: 1.29–3.37), respectively (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

An index of elevated inflammatory markers predicted all-cause mortality among adults with OLF.

Supporting Information

References

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Volume20, Issue4

May 2015

Pages 587-593

Inflammatory markers and mortality among US adults with obstructive lung function

Abstract

Background and objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Inflammatory markers and mortality among US adults with obstructive lung function

Abstract

Background and objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

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