Abstract
To assess whether two inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and change in their concentrations over 12 years, are associated with lung function (FVC and FEV1) 12 years after baseline. Data are from over 1,500 participants free from self-reported respiratory problems in a large-scale prospective cohort study of white-collar male and female civil servants. CRP and IL-6 measured at baseline (1991-1993) and follow-up (2002-2004) and FVC and FEV1, measured at follow-up. Results adjusted for sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, health behaviours, biological factors, chronic conditions and medications, and corrected for short-term variability in CRP and IL-6 concentrations. Higher baseline levels of CRP and IL-6 were strongly associated with lower FVC and FEV1, independent of potential confounders. A 10% increase serum CRP from baseline to follow-up was associated with lower values of FVC and FEV 1 at follow-up, 4.7 and 3.0 ml, respectively. The corresponding values for a 10% increase in IL-6 were 12.6 ml for FVC and 7.3 ml for FEV 1. Systemic low-grade inflammation is associated with only slightly poorer pulmonary function in a population free from self-reported respiratory problems 12 years earlier. These data provide evidence linking inflammation to adverse outcomes beyond cardiovascular disease. Interventions targeting inflammation may prevent lung function impairment.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 135-144 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | European Journal of Epidemiology |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cohort study
- Epidemiology
- Inflammation
- Pulmonary function
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology