Usefulness of midrange-proadrenomedullin as a predictor of mortality in patients with COPD.

In a recent article in CHEST (March 2014) by Zuur-Telgen et al 1 about the usefulness of midrangeproadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) in predicting mortality in patients with COPD, the authors confi rm previous fi ndings by Stolz et al 2 that higher MR-proADM levels during hospitalization for an acute exacerbation of COPD are associated with increased mortality. In addition, Zuur-Telgen et al 1 demonstrate the association between high levels of MR-proADM in the stable state and increased mortality, even aft er adjustment for comorbidities. Th ese results provide hopeful evidence for the use of MR-proADM measurement in the prognosis of COPD. However, several steps must be taken before this biomarker can be accepted as a strong predictor of mortality in COPD.