Plasma YKL-40 and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is hallmarked by inflammatory processes and a progressive decline of lung function. YKL-40 is a potential biomarker of inflammation and mortality in patients suffering from inflammatory lung disease, but its prognostic value in patients with COPD remains unknown.

We investigated whether high plasma YKL-40 was associated with increased mortality in patients with moderate to very severe COPD.

Methods:
Four hundred and ninety-three patients with moderate to very severe COPD were followed prospectively for up to 10 years. Patients were divided into two groups according to plasma YKL-40: concentration higher than the 75th percentile for age-matched healthy subjects (i.e.

high levels) and normal levels. Outcome was overall survival (OS) and was evaluated in uni- and multivariate proportional hazards Cox regression analyses and adjusted for factors affecting mortality.

Results:
Median plasma YKL-40 was increased in patients with COPD (81 ng/ml, p

Patients with high plasma YKL-40 had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.42 (95% CI: 1.15-1.75, p = 0.001) for all-cause mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that YKL-40 (HR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.11-1.72, p = 0.004), age (HR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.06, p 40 years (HR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.11-1.71, p = 0.003) were independent prognostic markers of OS.

Conclusion:
High plasmaYKL-40 is associated with increased mortality in patients with moderate to very severe COPD, suggesting a role for YKL-40 as a potential biomarker of mortality in this patient group.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00132860.

Author: Dennis B HolmgaardLone H MygindIngrid L TitlestadHanne MadsenSvend Stenvang PedersenJulia S JohansenCourt Pedersen
Credits/Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2013, 13:77

Published on: 2013-12-30

News Provider: EUPB â€“ European Press Bureau

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