High-sensitive C-reactive protein is associated with reduced lung function in young adults

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Abstract
Systemic inflammation has been associated with reduced lung function. However, data on the interrelationships between lung function and inflammation are sparse, and it is not clear if low-grade inflammation leads to reduced lung function.Associations between high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) and spirometric lung function were assessed in a population-based cohort of ∼1,000 Danes aged 20 yrs.In males, the average decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in the highest CRP quintile was 23 mL·yr−1versus1.6 mL·yr−1in the lowest quintile. In females, the average decline was 6.2 mL·yr−1in the highest CRP quintileversusan increase of 1.8 mL·yr−1in the lowest CRP quintile. In a multiple regression analysis adjusted for sex, body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, smoking, asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness and serum eosinophil cationic protein, higher levels of CRP at age 20 yrs were associated with a greater reduction in both FEV1and forced vital capacity between ages 20 and 29 yrs.The findings show that higher levels of C-reactive protein in young adults are associated with subsequent decline in lung function, suggesting that low-grade systemic inflammation in young adulthood may lead to impaired lung function independently of the effects of smoking, obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness, asthma and eosinophilic inflammation.