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BMC Pulmonary Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

FEV₁ and FVC and systemic inflammation in a spinal cord injury cohort

Authors: Jaime E. Hart, Rebekah Goldstein, Palak Walia, Merilee Teylan, Antonio Lazzari, Carlos G. Tun, Eric Garshick

Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

Systemic inflammation has been associated with reduced pulmonary function in individuals with and without chronic medical conditions. Individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) have clinical characteristics that promote systemic inflammation and also have reduced pulmonary function. We sought to assess the associations between biomarkers of systemic inflammation with pulmonary function in a chronic SCI cohort, adjusting for other potential confounding factors.

Methods

Participants (n = 311) provided a blood sample, completed a respiratory health questionnaire, and underwent spirometry. Linear regression methods were used to assess cross-sectional associations between plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV₁/FVC.

Results

There were statistically significant inverse relationships between plasma CRP and IL-6 assessed in quartiles or continuously with FEV₁ and FVC. In fully adjusted models, each interquartile range (5.91 mg/L) increase in CRP was associated with a significant decrease in FEV₁ (−55.85 ml; 95% CI: -89.21, −22.49) and decrease in FVC (−65.50 ml; 95% CI: -106.61, −24.60). There were similar significant findings for IL-6. There were no statistically significant associations observed with FEV₁/FVC.

Conclusion

Plasma CRP and IL-6 in individuals with chronic SCI are inversely associated with FEV₁ and FVC, independent of SCI level and severity of injury, BMI, and other covariates. This finding suggests that systemic inflammation associated with chronic SCI may contribute to reduced pulmonary function.

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Title: FEV1 and FVC and systemic inflammation in a spinal cord injury cohort
Authors: Jaime E. Hart
Rebekah Goldstein
Palak Walia
Merilee Teylan
Antonio Lazzari
Carlos G. Tun
Eric Garshick
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2466
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-017-0459-6

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