Analysis of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen as possible predictors of secondary fibrosis in pulmonary tuberculosis

Aim: To study the influence of C-reactive protein (CRP) level in the blood, fibrinogen level and general inflammatory syndrome as the predictors of development of secondary fibrosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: Concentration of CRP, fibrinogen level was measured using immunoturbidimetric methodIncluding criteria was presentation of TB process in both lungs, as the sign of widespread TB process. Results: We examined 85 patients treated in one year. Mean CRP level was 22,6 mg/mL, range 5-245 mg/mL; normal level (up to 8 mg/mL) was measured in 23,4% patients, medium level (9-20 mg/mL) was measured in 31,3% patients, high level (21-50 mg/mL) were measured in 26,2% patients, and in 23,7% patients CRP were higher than 50 mg/mL. Average fibrinogen level in whole group was 6,9 g/L (SD 5,8). Normal level of fibrinogen (up to 4 g/L) were measured in 6,4% of patients; 4,1-1,0 g/L were measured in 24,6% patients, 10,1-20 g/L were measured in 31,1% patient and level more than 20 g/L were measured in 37,9% patients. Using statistic method of partial correlation statistical significane at level p<0,05 was shown between them. Correlation of CRP and fibrinogen level with appearance of fibrosis on X-ray of the lung was shown. Thereafter, closer correlation was shown with fibrinogen and fibrosis than with CRP and fibrosis. Conclusion: Predicted value of CRP and fibrinogen for pulmonary fibrosis was shown in TB patients. So, attenuation of fibrosis development, possible with antifibroblastic activity of pentoxyphyllin, should be taken in consideration, for prevention of widespread development of lung fibrosis in these patients.