Systemic markers of inflammation in stable bronchiectasis

Patients with bronchiectasis have an active local and systemic inflammatory response during infective exacerbations. Systemic markers of inflammation were investigated during a stable phase of their illness, because continued inflammation could affect their general health and be involved in disease progression. The relationship between levels of various systemic markers of inflammation and extent of disease on computed tomographic scan, lung function, sputum bacteriology and health related quality of life (HRQoL) was investigated in 87 noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients. Several markers were elevated and correlated with the extent of disease and poor lung function. The total white cell count, neutrophil count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate correlated with both disease measures. Sputum bacteriology did not correlate with inflammation markers and patients with positive and negative cultures were similar. C-reactive protein and total white cell count correlated with some components of a disease-specific HRQoL questionnaire. In conclusion, patients with bronchiectasis in a stable phase have raised systemic markers of inflammation. Some markers, particularly the neutrophil count, correlate with disease severity. This result is in keeping with the hypothesis that the level of inflammation determines disease progression and health status.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. R. Loebinger, A. U. Wells, D. M. Hansell, N. Chinyanganya, A. Devaraj, M. Meister, and R. Wilson Mortality in bronchiectasis: a long-term study assessing the factors influencing survival Eur. Respir. J., October 1, 2009; 34(4): 843 - 849. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. E. O'Donnell Bronchiectasis Chest, October 1, 2008; 134(4): 815 - 823. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Courtney, M. Kelly, A Watt, L Garske, J Bradley, M Ennis, and J. Elborn Quality of life and inflammation in exacerbations of bronchiectasis Chronic Respiratory Disease, August 1, 2008; 5(3): 161 - 168. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Polley, N. Yaman, L. Heaney, C. Cardwell, E. Murtagh, J. Ramsey, J. MacMahon, R. W. Costello, and L. McGarvey Impact of Cough Across Different Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Comparison of Two Cough-Specific Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaires Chest, August 1, 2008; 134(2): 295 - 302. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Fuschillo, A. De Felice, and G. Balzano Mucosal inflammation in idiopathic bronchiectasis: cellular and molecular mechanisms Eur. Respir. J., February 1, 2008; 31(2): 396 - 406. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Martinez-Garcia, J.-J. Soler-Cataluna, M. Perpina-Tordera, P. Roman-Sanchez, and J. Soriano Factors Associated With Lung Function Decline in Adult Patients With Stable Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Chest, November 1, 2007; 132(5): 1565 - 1572. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Lavery, B. O'Neill, J. S. Elborn, J. Reilly, and J. M. Bradley Self-management in bronchiectasis: the patients' perspective Eur. Respir. J., March 1, 2007; 29(3): 541 - 547. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Davies, A. U. Wells, S. Doffman, S. Watanabe, and R. Wilson The effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on pulmonary function in patients with bronchiectasis Eur. Respir. J., November 1, 2006; 28(5): 974 - 979. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Santamaria, S. Montella, L. Camera, C. Palumbo, L. Greco, and A. L. Boner Lung structure abnormalities, but normal lung function in pediatric bronchiectasis. Chest, August 1, 2006; 130(2): 480 - 486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Vendrell, J. de Gracia, M.-J. Rodrigo, M.-J. Cruz, A. Alvarez, M. Garcia, and M. Miravitlles Antibody Production Deficiency With Normal IgG Levels in Bronchiectasis of Unknown Etiology Chest, January 1, 2005; 127(1): 197 - 204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Chan, M. M. Chan-Yeung, G. C. Ooi, C. L. Lam, T. F. Cheung, W. K. Lam, and K. W. Tsang Validation of the Hong Kong Chinese Version of the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire in Patients With Bronchiectasis Chest, December 1, 2002; 122(6): 2030 - 2037. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Loukides, D. Bouros, G. Papatheodorou, S. Lachanis, P. Panagou, and N. M. Siafakas Exhaled H2O2 in Steady-State Bronchiectasis : Relationship With Cellular Composition in Induced Sputum, Spirometry, and Extent and Severity of Disease Chest, January 1, 2002; 121(1): 81 - 87. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. REYNAUD-GAUBERT, P. THOMAS, M. BADIER, P. CAU, R. GIUDICELLI, and P. FUENTES Early Detection of Airway Involvement in Obliterative Bronchiolitis after Lung Transplantation . Functional and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cell Findings Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., June 1, 2000; 161(6): 1924 - 1929. [Abstract] [Full Text]