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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a systemic disease: an epidemiological perspective
1Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark. helleandreassen@ofir.dk
The European Respiratory Journal. Supplement
|November 19, 2003
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic disease affecting muscles and bones. Inflammatory markers in COPD patients are linked to lung function and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Systemic Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasingly recognized as a systemic disease.
- The systemic implications involve oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormonal changes, impacting various body systems.
- Extrapulmonary effects include skeletal muscle dysfunction, wasting, and osteoporosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the epidemiology of inflammatory markers in COPD patients.
- To understand the association between systemic inflammation and extrapulmonary manifestations in COPD.
- To investigate the prognostic significance of systemic markers in COPD.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological analysis of inflammatory markers in COPD patients.
- Assessment of body composition and derived measures to quantify systemic inflammation.
- Correlation of inflammatory markers with lung function (e.g., FEV1) and patient prognosis.
Main Results:
- Few studies have examined the epidemiology of inflammatory markers in COPD.
- Systemic inflammation effects can be measured in skeletal muscle or via body composition.
- Studies indicate a link between inflammatory markers and FEV1, even in non-severe COPD.
Conclusions:
- Systemic inflammation is a key feature of COPD, impacting extrapulmonary organs.
- Inflammatory markers are associated with lung function and have prognostic implications in COPD.
- Further epidemiological research is needed to fully understand these systemic effects.