3 research outputs found
Interleukin-6 and airflow limitation in chemical warfare patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the main late complications
of sulfur mustard poisoning. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of interleukin
(IL)-6 in war veterans with pulmonary complications of sulfur mustard poisoning and their correlation
with severity of airways disease.
Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with sulfur mustard poisoning and stable COPD, and of mean
age 46.3 ± 9.18 years were enrolled in this study. Thirty healthy men were selected as controls
and matched to cases by age and body mass index. Spirometry, arterial blood gas, six-minute
walk test, BODE (body mass index, obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity), and St George’s
Respiratory Questionnaire about quality of life were evaluated. Serum IL-6 was measured in
both patient and control groups.
Results: Fifty-four percent of patients had moderate COPD. Mean serum IL-6 levels were
15.01 ± standard deviation (SD) 0.61 pg/dL and 4.59 ± 3.40 pg/dL in the case and control groups,
respectively (P = 0.03). There was a significant correlation between IL-6 levels and Global
Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage (r = 0.25, P = 0.04) and between IL-6
and BODE index (r = 0.38, P = 0.01). There was also a significant negative correlation between
serum IL-6 and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1, r = −0.36, P = 0.016).
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that serum IL-6 is increased in patients with sulfur mustard
poisoning and COPD, and may have a direct association with airflow limitation
Highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels in Iranian patients with pulmonary complication of sulfur mustard poisoning and its correlation with severity of airway diseases
Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that can cause serious pulmonary complications.
This study was designed to determine serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and evaluate its
correlation with lung function parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due
to SM poisoning. Methods: Fifty consecutive SM patients with stable COPD and a mean age 46.3 + 9.18 years
were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Thirty healthymen were selected as controls. Lung function parameters
were evaluated. Serum hs-CRP by immunoturbidometry assay was measured in both the patients and controls.
Results: In the case group, the mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 2.14 + 0.76 L
(58.98%+17.51% predicted). The mean serum hs-CRP was 9.4+6.78 SD and 3.9+1.92 SDmg/L in the cases
and controls, respectively, with significant statistical differences (p < .001). There was negative correlation between
the serum hs-CRP and FEV1 levels (p ¼ .01). The serum hs-CRP levels were also correlated with Global Initiative
for ChronicObstructive Lung disease (GOLD) stages (r ¼ .45, p < .001). Conclusions:Our findings suggest that
the serum hs-CRP level is increased in SM patients with COPD and may have a direct correlation with disease
severity. It may then be used as a marker for the severity of COPD in patients with SM poisoning