Is ischemia modified albumin a good marker in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Abstract

Objectives: Our aim is to compare the Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in patients with acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with a high oxidative and inflammatory biologic marker like C-reactive protein (CRP) and to investigate its employability in AECOPD and the relationship between arterial blood gas and pulmonary function parameters. Methods: Forty-six patients diagnosed with acute exacerbation of COPD between March 2015-September 2016 at Ufuk University School of Medicine were included. The 1st and 5th days of IMA and CRP levels were measured. Also, IMA levels were given in absorbance units (ABSU). Results: Total 46 patients of COPD, 13 (28.3%) were females and 33 (71.76%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 71.39 ± 10.04 years. The 1st and 5th day values of IMA, ABSU and CRP were 1.08 ± 0.33 and 0.49 ± 0.24; 1.06 ± 0.34 and 0.49 ± 0.26; and 29.25 (3.10-288.00) and 6.35 (0.30-149.00), respectively (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was determined between IMA and CRP. Also, no correlation were determined between the parameters of arterial blood gas and pulmonary function. Conclusions: Although IMA values showed significant increase during acute exacerbation of COPD and decreased after treatment, CRP still appeared more effective in evaluating the exacerbation status and following up of the treatment of patients with COPD.