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Plasma high sensitivity c-reactive protein level in children with asthma seen at Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Kano

Background: Exact pathogenesis of asthma is unknown, however the hallmark of asthma is airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. C-reactive protein (CRP) participates in the systemic response to inflammation and is useful in assessing airway inflammation and asthma severity. Objectives: To measure the plasma levels of high sensitivity-CRP (hs-CRP) in asthmatic and nonasthmatic children, to assess the association between demographic parameters and peak expiratory flow rate with a high level of hs-CRP and also to determine if hs-CRP is a predictor of asthma severity. Materials and Methods: A case-control study in asthmatics and nonasthmatics aged 4-15 years at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Controls were age and gender matched; without asthma or other atopic conditions. The plasma level of hs-CRP was determined by particle enhanced turbidimetric method. Statistical Analysis: Appropriate statistical tests for quantitative and categorical variables were determined using SPSS. A P value Results: Of the 70 stable asthmatics and 70 controls recruited, 50 (71%) were males and 20 (29%) females. The male to female ratio in both groups was 2.5:1. Fifteen of the asthmatics had attack during the study period. Twenty-five (35.7%) stable asthmatics and 12 (17.1%) of the controls had high-plasma level of hs-CRP. All 15 (100%) asthmatics that presented with an attack had high-plasma level of hs-CRP. Mean ± standard deviation hs-CRP of asthmatics with attack was 21.67 ± 6.57 mg/L which was significantly higher than that of stable asthmatics (9.68 ± 6.85 mg/L, P P Conclusion: Mean plasma hs-CRP levels was significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in asthmatics with attack than stable asthmatics and controls. Plasma levels of hs-CRP may be a good indicator of respiratory airway inflammation.