RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 C-reactive protein level predicts mortality in COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis JF European Respiratory Review JO EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW FD European Respiratory Society SP 160070 DO 10.1183/16000617.0070-2016 VO 26 IS 143 A1 Giovanni Leuzzi A1 Carlotta Galeone A1 Francesca Taverna A1 Paola Suatoni A1 Daniele Morelli A1 Ugo Pastorino YR 2017 UL http://err.ersjournals.com/content/26/143/160070.abstract AB 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