Serum white blood cell count and pulmonary function test are negatively associated

• Published in: Acta clinica belgica (English ed. Online) 2015-12, Vol.70 (6), p.419-424
• Main Authors: Yang, H.-F., Kao, T.-W., Wang, C.-C., Peng, T.-C., Chang, Y.-W., Chen, W.-L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Asthma; Blood pressure; Body mass index; Cancer; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Data collection; Datasets; Disease; Funding; Glucose; Heart failure; Inflammation; Laboratories; Population; Pulmonary function test; Review boards; Stroke; Studies; Uric acid; White blood cell count
• ISSN: 1784-3286; 2295-3337
• DOI: 10.1179/2295333715Y.0000000051

A variety of inflammatory disorders influence the serum white blood cell (WBC) count. Elevated systemic inflammatory insult may contribute to impaired lung function, such as obstructive or restrictive lung disease. The aim of our study is to investigate the correlation between WBC count and pulmonary function. Eligible participants aged ≥ 18 years (n = 16 312) were enrolled from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, 1988-1994. Pertinent information including pulmonary function test, demographics, WBC count, glucose, C-reactive protein and a personal health questionnaire were obtained for subjects without known pulmonary diseases. White blood cell counts were classified into quartiles over the normal range. Multiple hierarchical regression models and trends testing were used to assess the correlation between WBC counts and pulmonary function tests. In the unadjusted mode of quartile-based analysis, the beta coefficients interpreted as the differences in FEV 1 % predicted upon comparing subjects in the upper three quartiles of WBC count to those in the lowest quartile were − 0.007, − 0.022 and − 0.041 (P