TY - JOUR T1 - C-reactive protein level predicts mortality in COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis JF - European Respiratory Review JO - EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW DO - 10.1183/16000617.0070-2016 VL - 26 IS - 143 SP - 160070 AU - Giovanni Leuzzi AU - Carlotta Galeone AU - Francesca Taverna AU - Paola Suatoni AU - Daniele Morelli AU - Ugo Pastorino Y1 - 2017/03/31 UR - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/26/143/160070.abstract N2 - The prognostic role of baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is controversial. In order to clarify this issue, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the predictive effect of baseline CRP level in COPD patients. 15 eligible articles focusing on late mortality in COPD were included in our study. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis, and assessed heterogeneity and publication bias. We pooled hazard ratio (HR) estimates and their 95% confidence intervals on mortality for the comparison between the study-specific highest category of CRP level versus the lowest category. In overall analysis, elevated baseline CRP levels were significantly associated with higher mortality (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.32–1.77, I2=68.7%, p<0.001). Similar results were observed across subgroups. However, higher mortality risk was reported in studies using a cut-off value of 3 mg·L−1 (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.12–2.30) and in those enrolling an Asiatic population (HR 3.51, 95% CI 1.69–7.31). Our analysis indicates that baseline high CRP level is significantly associated with higher late mortality in patients with COPD. Further prospective controlled studies are needed to confirm these data.Baseline high CRP level is significantly associated with higher mortality in COPD patients http://ow.ly/iWKb305aYvL ER -