Fibrinogen, COPD and mortality in a nationally representative U.S. cohort

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Published on: April 1, 2015

David M Mannino1, Deepa Valvi, Hana Mullerova

  • 1Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, USA. dmannino@uky.edu

COPD
|April 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

High fibrinogen levels are linked to worse chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes. Elevated fibrinogen increases mortality risk in the general population and among individuals with COPD.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Biomarkers
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Fibrinogen, a marker of systemic inflammation, is investigated as a potential biomarker for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) progression.
  • Understanding the role of fibrinogen in COPD is crucial for identifying risk factors and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the association between fibrinogen levels and COPD.
  • To examine the impact of baseline fibrinogen levels on long-term mortality in a large, nationally representative cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized baseline data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and follow-up mortality data.
  • Defined elevated fibrinogen as the upper 10% of the distribution ( > 403.0 mg/dL).
  • Analyzed associations adjusting for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

  • Subjects with Stage 3 or 4 COPD had significantly higher odds of elevated fibrinogen (OR 3.4).
  • Elevated fibrinogen was associated with increased mortality risk in the overall sample (HR 1.36).
  • Higher fibrinogen levels significantly increased mortality risk in subjects with Stage 2 (HR 1.45) and Stage 3 or 4 COPD (HR 2.11).

Conclusions:

  • Impaired lung function correlates with higher fibrinogen levels in the NHANES III population.
  • Elevated fibrinogen levels are an independent risk factor for mortality in both the general population and individuals with COPD.
Abstract

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