Aim:
To assess the nature and severity of changes in inflammatory markers—C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)—in patients depending on the presence of secondary bronchiectasis in the setting of COPD and GERD

Material and methods:
130 patients in the remission phase of COPD GOLD-3, group E, were examined by clinical, laboratory, and instrumental methods. The levels of CRP and IL-6 were measured in the peripheral blood serum. The control group - of practically healthy individuals (PHI) 15 respondents.

Results:
The frequency of exacerbations in the previous year in Group I ranged from 1.7 to 2.5 and did not differ between subgroups (p > 0.05). In Group II - from 2.0 to 3.4 and showed difference between: subgroups Ib and IIb, subgroups IIa – IIb (p < 0.05). CRP levels were higher in patients with COPD + BE, showing a 47.0% increase (p < 0.001) compared to COPD alone. There was increase 30.7% (p < 0.001) in CRP levels in patients with neutrophilic-type inflammation COPD compared to eosinophilic-type. IL-6 showed an increase, ranging from 2.5 to 7 times higher (p < 0.05; p < 0.001) compared to the PHI group. The analysis of the obtained results indicates a more pronounced increase in IL-6 levels in groups with secondary BE.

Conclusions:
COPD remains one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Correlation analysis between CRP, IL-6 levels, and exacerbation frequency revealed strong positive correlations in groups with combined pathology and the neutrophilic type of inflammation in COPD (r = +0.96 to r = +0.86).