TY - JOUR
T1 - C-reactive protein as a predictor of disease in smokers and former smokers
AU - Tonstad, S.
AU - Cowan, J. L.
N1 - The links between smoking and increased morbidity and mortality have been long established, and current trends indicate that of the one billion smokers worldwide, 500 million will die prematurely from smoking-related diseases ( 1). Smoking has been shown to have harmful effects on numerous organs of the body and the list of diseases where smoking has been recognised as a contributory factor is extensive ( 2).
PY - 2009/11
Y1 - 2009/11
N2 - Background: Cigarette smoking is a classical and a major risk factor in the development of several diseases with an inflammatory component, including cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Improvements in assays for protein markers of inflammation have led to many studies on these factors and their roles in disease. Aims: C-reactive protein (CRP) is one such marker and this review focuses on the evidence for using CRP as a diagnostic marker and how levels of this protein are modified according to the smoking status of the patient, both in terms of the current amount of cigarettes smoked and how CRP levels change following smoking cessation. Conclusions: Assay of CRP levels may be useful in monitoring disease progression and determining risk of future cardiovascular complications. However, as this marker is also an indicator of acute inflammation and challenges to the immune system, some caution must be exercised in interpreting the available data on CRP levels in patients with different chronic comorbidities.
AB - Background: Cigarette smoking is a classical and a major risk factor in the development of several diseases with an inflammatory component, including cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Improvements in assays for protein markers of inflammation have led to many studies on these factors and their roles in disease. Aims: C-reactive protein (CRP) is one such marker and this review focuses on the evidence for using CRP as a diagnostic marker and how levels of this protein are modified according to the smoking status of the patient, both in terms of the current amount of cigarettes smoked and how CRP levels change following smoking cessation. Conclusions: Assay of CRP levels may be useful in monitoring disease progression and determining risk of future cardiovascular complications. However, as this marker is also an indicator of acute inflammation and challenges to the immune system, some caution must be exercised in interpreting the available data on CRP levels in patients with different chronic comorbidities.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02179.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02179.x
M3 - Review article
C2 - 19732183
SN - 1368-5031
VL - 63
SP - 1634
EP - 1641
JO - International Journal of Clinical Practice
JF - International Journal of Clinical Practice
IS - 11
ER -