RESULTS: Sixty-three
COPD patients (
COPD low risk group,
n = 30;
COPD high risk group, n = 33) and 50 normal subjects (24 healthy non-smokers, 26 healthy smokers) were recruited. The plasma
desmosine concentrations in healthy non-smokers, healthy smokers, low risk and high risk
COPD patients were (200 ± 159), (191 ± 105), (197 ± 118) and (131 ± 47) ng/L respectively. The plasma concentration of
desmosine was significantly lower in
COPD high risk group than healthy non-smokers (mean difference -70, 95%CI: -128--11, P = 0.021), healthy smokers (mean difference -60, 95%CI: -118--3, P = 0.039) and
COPD low risk group (mean difference -67, 95%CI: -122--12, P = 0.018). The plasma concentration of
desmosine was negatively correlated with exacerbation frequency (r = -0.409, P = 0.002), mMRC scores (r = -0.447, P = 0.010) and
emphysema severity (r = -0.386, P = 0.047) in
COPD patients. No significant correlation existed between
desmosine plasma levels and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%
pred) in
COPD patients (r = 0.225, P = 0.084).
CONCLUSIONS: