Serum surfactant protein D, lung function decline, and incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a longitudinal study in Beijing

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become a major public-health problem in China. Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a very promising biomarker and therapeutic target for COPD. To assess whether baseline serum SP-D is associated with lung function decline and incident COPD. Methods: This longitudinal study was initiated in 2009 in a community in Beijing. Data were collected on spirometry, and the baseline level of serum SP-D was measured in 772 non-COPD subjects aged 40-70 years old. In 2012, spirometry was repeated in 364 individuals, 37 of whom subjects had incident COPD. Results: From 2009 to 2012, subjects with incident COPD had a more rapid decline in FEV1 (MD 98.27 vs. MD 43.41 mL) compared with those without COPD. There was no association between baseline serum SP-D and the COPD incidence. Smoking (OR=2.72; P=0.002) and age (OR=1.06; P=0.000) were risk factors for COPD. The rate of FEV1 decline varies widely in the general population, and the univariate analysis showed that baseline serum SP-D levels (R=-0.169; P=0.003), income level, home-road distance, and statin use were inversely correlated with the decline in FEV1. After multivariable analyses, only smoking was consistently associated with the decline in FEV1. Conclusions: There was no correlation between baseline serum SP-D levels and incident COPD in a general population. Smoking and age were major risk factors for COPD. The effect of serum SP-D levels on the decline in FEV1 needs further investigation.

Automated summary

The baseline serum SP-D levels showed no correlation with incident COPD in the general population. Smoking and age were identified as major risk factors for COPD. Further investigation is needed to determine the effect of serum SP-D levels on the decline in FEV1.