BMP2 may be a promising biomarker for COPD

BackgroundDespite the substantial disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), convenient and specific biomarkers for COPD remain lacking.ObjectivesTo explore plasma bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) levels in patients with COPD and the diagnostic value of BMP2 for COPD.DesignA single-center and cross-sectional observational study.MethodsNinety-one patients with COPD and 51 healthy subjects were prospectively recruited as the COPD group and control group, respectively. Plasma BMP2 levels of all subjects were detected. Correlations between BMP2 and other clinical indicators were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of COPD. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of BMP2 for COPD.ResultsPlasma BMP2 levels in COPD group were higher than that in control group (P < 0.001). The COPD group was divided into acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) group (n=59) and stable COPD (SCOPD) group (n=32). Plasma BMP2 levels in the SCOPD group were higher than that in the AECOPD group (P < 0.001). In addition, plasma BMP2 levels in the control group and COPD group were negatively correlated with PEF, FEF₂₅, FEF₅₀, FEF₇₅, and DLCO (P < 0.05). Plasma BMP2 in the COPD group were positively correlated with FEV₁/FVC, FEV₁%pred, FEF₂₅, FEF₅₀, and FEF₇₅ (P < 0.05). Importantly, logistic regression analysis showed that BMP2 was an independent risk factor for COPD (adjusted OR = 1.115, 95% CI: 1.065-1.166, P < 0.001). Moreover, the AUC of BMP2 in distinguishing COPD group from control group was 0.763 (95% CI: 0.686-0.839, P < 0.001), and that in distinguishing AECOPD group from SCOPD group was 0.722 (95% CI: 0.610-0.834, P < 0.001).ConclusionsPlasma BMP2 level is elevated in patients with COPD. Moreover, BMP2 is an independent risk factor for COPD and has auxiliary diagnostic value for COPD. Consequently, BMP2 may be a promising biomarker for COPD.