The relationship of the changes of serum SP-D, NE, IL-8, α-HBDH levels and progress of the disease in elderly patients with COPD

Objective: To explore the relationship and the clinical significance of changes of four serum markers (SP-D, NE, IL-8, α-HBD) in elderly patients with COPD. Methods: Serum SP-D, NE levels were measured with ELISA, while IL-8 with RIA, α-HBDH with ACA. Results: Clinical and measurement results: the cases and control appeared to be well matched on age and gender (as shown in table 1), however, there proved significant statistical differences among five indicators (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Serum level of SP-D in I group showed slightly higher than that of control group, but there expressed no significant statistical difference (P > 0.05), Those in II and III group presented significantly higher than normal control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), there were also significant differences between those in patients with grade group (P < 0.05). Serum level of IL-8 in I group indicated significantly higher than normal control group (P < 0.05), those in II and III group proved markedly higher than the normal control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01), there were also significant differences between those in patients' with grade group (P < 0.05). Serum level of NE in statistical results with IL-8. Serum levels of α-HBDH in I group and II group proved no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05), those in III group gained significantly higher than II group and normal control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Correlative analysis results: analysis of serum markers and respiratory function parameters FEV₁ showed that: FEV1 and serum level of SP-D no significant correlation in I group (r = -0.26, P > O.05), but slightly correlation in II group (r = -0.36, P = 0.05), while significantly negative correlation in III group (r = -0.76, P < 0.05). FEV₁ and serum level of IL-8 were significantly negative correlation in I, II, III group (r = -0.55, P < 0.05; r = -0.65, P < 0.05; r = -0.70, P < 0.05, respectively). FEV₁ and serum level of NE were significantly positive correlation in I group (r = -0.60, P < 0.05), While those in II, III group were significantly negative correlation (r = -0.65, P < 0.05; r = -0.70, P < O.05, respectively). There were no significantly correlation between FEV₁ and serum α-HBDH in I, II group (r = -0.30, P > 0.05; r = -0.15, P > 0.05, respectively), slightly correlation in III group could be found (r = -0.41, P = 0.05). Conclusion: The changes of serum concentrations of four indicators closely related to the progression of COPD patients, the determination of above described serum items levels provides definite clinical values to realize the disease and outcome prediction in elderly patients with COPD. (authors)