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Association Between Combined Interleukin‐6 and C‐Reactive Protein Levels and Pulmonary Function in Older Women: Results from the Women's Health and Aging Studies I and II
Author(s) -
Chang Sandy S.,
Vaz Fragoso Carlos A.,
Van Ness Peter H.,
Fried Linda P.,
Tinetti Mary E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2010.03203.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gerontology , association (psychology) , pulmonary function testing , c reactive protein , inflammation , philosophy , epistemology
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether combined higher interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with lower pulmonary function levels in older women, accounting for chronic inflammatory diseases, physical function, and other factors associated with inflammation. DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study using data from two prospective cohorts. SETTING: Baltimore, Maryland. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred forty disabled and 332 higher‐functioning community‐dwelling women aged 65 and older from the Women's Health and Aging Studies (WHAS) I and II, respectively. MEASUREMENTS: IL‐6 and CRP, combined according to their tertile concentrations, and pulmonary function measures, assessed according to forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) and forced vital capacity (FVC). RESULTS: In WHAS I and II, similar dose‐response trends were observed between combined higher IL‐6 and CRP levels and lower pulmonary function levels. In WHAS I (disabled women), the combined highest IL‐6 and CRP levels were associated with the lowest levels of FEV 1 (mean 137.0 mL, 95% confidence interval (CI)=128.4–145.7 mL) and FVC (mean 191.7 mL, 95% CI=180.4–202.9 mL). Similarly, in WHAS II (higher‐functioning women), the combined highest IL‐6 and CRP levels were associated with the lowest levels of FEV 1 (mean 158.3 mL, 95% CI=146.3–170.4 mL) and FVC (mean 224.2 mL, 95% CI=209.9–238.5 mL). CONCLUSION: Combined elevations in IL‐6 and CRP were associated with the lowest pulmonary function levels in older women. These findings suggest that high IL‐6 and CRP levels may be an indication of prevalent impaired pulmonary function. Future studies should determine whether measurement of IL‐6 and CRP could enhance current methods of monitoring respiratory diseases beyond that provided by pulmonary function measures.