Fig. 3
Distribution of inflammatory biomarkers at baseline by diagnosis group: a WBC, b fibrinogen, c hs-CRP, d IL-6, e sRAGE, f plasma SP-D. All biomarker values (except for IL-6) are log2 transformed. WBC, sRAGE: P ≤ 0.0001; hs-CRP: P = 0.0002; plasma SP-D: P = 0.0194; fibrinogen: P = 0.0249, linear regression for subject groups ordered by disease severity (Kruskal–Wallis test used for fibrinogen). No association was observed between positive expression of IL-6 and subject groups (chi-square test, P = 0.0701). A1ATD alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, Abs absolute, EwAL ex-smokers without airflow limitation, GOLD Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, hs-CRP high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-6 interleukin 6, SP-D surfactant protein D, sRAGE soluble receptor for advanced glycation end product, WBC white blood count