Clinical value of CRP in acute exacerbation period patients with COPD

Objective To investigate the serum level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including stable COPD and acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Methods 152 AECOPD patients and 88 stable COPD patients were selected CRP, WBC, ESR were detected. Chest x-ray was taken. The 152 AECOPD patients were treated with effective antibiotics, and were compared in the changes of these markers. Results The serum CRP levels in the AECOPD patients were significantly higher than that in the stable COPD patients (P0.01). The serum CRP levels in the dead AECOPD patients were significantly higher than that in the alive AECOPD patients (P0.001). Conclusion Elevated serum CRP is a predictor of exacerbation in the COPD patients. An extremely high level of CRP may be the indicator of severe condition with poor prognosis. CRP is a good marker in acute exacerbation period with COPD. It can express immediate effectiveness of antibiotic selected, and is more sensitive and quickier, compared with WBC, ESR.