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High hsCRP is associated with reduced lung function in structural firefighters
Author(s) -
Gaughan Denise M.,
Christiani David C.,
Hughes Michael D.,
Baur Dorothee M.,
Kobzik Lester,
Wagner Gregory R.,
Kales Stefanos N.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22260
Subject(s) - medicine , spirometry , vital capacity , biomarker , systemic inflammation , confounding , c reactive protein , pulmonary function testing , lung function , population , lung volumes , inflammation , lung , cardiology , diffusing capacity , asthma , environmental health , biochemistry , chemistry
Background To assess the association between markers of systemic inflammation and pulmonary function in a population of structural firefighters. Methods We studied male career members of a large Midwestern fire department with questionnaires, spirometry, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) as a biomarker of systemic inflammation. We examined percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 %‐predicted) and forced vital capacity (FVC%‐predicted). Results Complete data were available for 401 firefighters. Higher hsCRP levels were associated with lower lung function values, after adjusting for confounding variables. Specifically, for every twofold increase in log10‐hsCRP, FEV 1 %‐predicted decreased by a mean 1.5% (95% CI: 0.4, 2.6%) and FVC%‐predicted decreased by a mean 1.4% (95% CI: 0.4, 2.3%). Conclusion hsCRP as a biomarker of systemic inflammation may indicate reduced lung function in structural firefighters. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:31–37, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.