Analysis of correlations between serum LncRNA MEG3, SNHG5 levels and global initiative classification for chronic obstructive lung diseases as well as prognosis

  Objective  To analyze the correlations of serum long non-coding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (LncRNA MEG3) and small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) with global initiative for chronic obstructive lung diseases (GOLD) classification and prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

  Methods  A total of 87 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) were selected as acute group, 46 patients in the acute group whose condition were stable after 1 month of treatment were included in stable group, and 50 healthy individuals were enrolled as control group. Serum LncRNA MEG3 and SNHG5 levels were detected in all three groups, then the correlations of serum LncRNA MEG3 and SNHG5 levels with GOLD classification, clinical indicators and prognosis of COPD patients were evaluated.

  Results  Serum LncRNA MEG3 and SNHG5 levels in the acute group and the stable group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and were lower in the acute group than those in the stable group (P < 0.05). GOLD grade showed significant difference between the acute group and the stable group, and the scores of body mass, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index were significantly higher in the acute group than those in the stable group (P < 0.05). During 3 months of follow-up, 18 of 87 patients with AECOPD died and were included in poor prognosis group, and the remaining 69 patients were included in good prognosis group. The levels of serum LncRNA MEG3 and SNHG5 in the poor prognosis group were lower than those in the good prognosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that serum LncRNA MEG3 in COPD patients was negatively correlated with smoking history, GOLD grade and BODE index (P < 0.05), and positively correlated with ratio of forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity in the first second (FEV₁/FVC) level (P < 0.05). The level of LncRNA SNHG5 was negatively correlated with smoking history, hospital stay length, GOLD grade and BODE index (P < 0.05), and positively correlated with FEV₁/FVC (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Serum LncRNA MEG3 and SNHG5 levels are significantly down-regulated in patients with COPD, and their levels show significant correlations with the pulmonary function and disease severity. Moreover, the two indicators are of great value in predicting the short-term death in AECOPD patients.