A study of plasma copeptin level as a predictor of severity during acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma

Background An exacerbation of asthma is an episode, characterized by a progressive increase in one or more typical asthma symptoms (shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and chest tightness). Copeptin is a 39-amino acid glycopeptide that is derived from the c-terminal part of the pre–pro-hormone of arginine vasopressin. Aim The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of copeptin in asthmatic patients and its relationship to disease severity. Patients and methods This was a prospective observational study carried out on 45 patients during acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma (15 mild, 15 moderate, and 15 severe cases) and 15 healthy participants. Results Our study showed no significant difference in age, sex, and BMI between case and control groups. There was a statistical highly significant differences in pulmonary function tests, partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood, partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, and oxygen saturation among mild, moderate, and severe cases, and significant increase in total leukocytic count and hospital stay in severe cases than mild and moderate cases. There was a highly significant increase of plasma copeptin in moderate and severe cases than mild cases and control groups. There were nonsignificant correlations between copeptin and pulmonary function tests in mild cases; a significant negative correlation between copeptin and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) actual in moderate cases; significant negative correlations between copeptin, FEV1 actual, FEV1% predicted, forced vital capacity% predicted, and peak expiratory flow% predicted in severe cases; and highly significant negative correlations between copeptin and partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood and oxygen saturation in all cases (P<0.001). Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood exhibited a nonsignificant positive correlation with copeptin (P<0.05). Conclusion Copeptin is proven to be a novel biomarker and is increased in patients with asthma as compared with healthy controls.