Plasma surfactant protein-A levels in apparently healthy smokers, stable and exacerbation COPD patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare the plasma level of surfactant protein-A in apparently healthy smokers, stable and exacerbation Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. METHODS: This was a comparative study conducted from January, 2015 to March, 2016. This study was conducted on 87 subjects of both gender and age between 30-70 years. Of the total 87 subjects; 29 subjects were “healthy smokers” selected from general population as control group. Another 29 were “stable COPD” patients free of exacerbation since last six weeks. Lastly, another 29 subjects were “exacerbated COPD” patients with 7-10 days of exacerbation. COPD was diagnosed on the basis of relevant history and spirometry showing post bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.70. Surfactant Protein-A level (ng/ml) was estimated by a specific solid phase enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using automated EIA analyzer. RESULTS: The SP-A levels, determined by competitive ELISA, was significantly higher (P<0.025) in healthy smokers (44.19±39.17 ng/ml) and exacerbated (43.86±40.17) than the stable COPD (25.89±18.85) patients. The lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC and FEV1/ FVC) were lower in COPD patients compared to healthy smokers and were related to the duration of smoking. CONCLUSION: Current smokers and exacerbated patients had higher values of SP-A protein than stable COPD patients since they had stopped smoking.