Diagnostic Value Of Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin In Patients With Asthma-copd Overlap

ObjectiveTo explore the diagnostic value of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL)in patients with asthma-COPD overlap(ACO),and to provide a reference for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.MethodsA total of 30 patients with ACO,60 patients with COPD,35 patients with asthma and 25 healthy nonsmokers were enrolled in this study.The clinical data were collected and analyzed.Plasma levels of NGAL were determined by ELISA.Univariate analysis of variance was used to evaluate the difference of plasma NGAL levels in ACO group,asthma group,COPD group and control group.The relationship of NGAL and confounding factors was analyzed,and the sensitive of NGAL was evaluated by ROC curve in diagnosis of ACO.Results(1)Mean ± SD plasma concentrations of NGAL were 110.50 ± 22.81 ng/mL in ACO group,127.40 ± 27.57 ng/mL in COPD group,85.79±20.02 ng/mL in asthma group and 86.54±23.46 ng/mL in control group.Plasma NGAL levels were significantly different between ACO group and asthma group(P=0.000),as well as between ACO group and COPD group(P=0.015).(2)Plasma NGAL levels were negatively correlated with FEV1(r=-0.422,P=0.000),and were positively correlated with smoking(r=0.500,P=0.000).(3)The areas under ROC curve was 0.565(P=0.273).Conclusion1 Plasma NGAL may help to differentiate ACO patients from asthma patients,as well as from COPD patients.NGAL is a potential biomarker for ACO;2 The value of plasma NGAL in the diagnosis of ACO is low.