ABSTRACT
Background: COPD is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is progressive and is associated with enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways to noxious particles or gases. It has both systemic and pulmonary effects. Since COPD deaths estimated to increase by 30% in next 10 years, cost of treatment will be a heavy burden on global economy. The costs are proportional to pulmonary and extra pulmonary components of the disease. Methods: In this study, we examined 100 patients of COPD, out of which 80 were stable and 20 were unstable. Results: CRP levels were found to be increased in cases more than in controls (13.55+10.83 vs. 2.07+0.82 mg/lit, p<0.001), the levels being higher in unstable patients than in stable patients (33.78+7.74 vs. 8.50+1.81 mg/lit, p<0.001). We also submitted the patients to MMRC dyspnoea scale and found that CRP is positively correlated with MMRC dyspnoea scale (r=0.638, p<0.001) and was inversely correlated with 6- minute walk distance (r= -0.364, p<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation of CRP with BODE index (r=0.780, p<0.001). Conclusion: The study is valuable in detecting the severity of COPD cases both in stable and unstable conditions and to forecast the future morbidity and mortality outcome of such cases.