Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Auricular Acupuncture as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Sleep Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2023
Depressive symptoms, inflammatory markers and body composition in elderly with and without chronic obstructive
Patrícia E M Marinho1, Célia M M B Castro, M Cristina F Raposo
1Cardiorespiratory Physical Therapy Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Recife-PE 50.670 901, Brazil. patmarinho@yahoo.com.br
Unlabelled:
Our aim was to assess the relationships between cortisol, interleukin-2 (Il-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in elderly with and without COPD presenting with or without depressive symptoms. Forty COPD patients and 53 elderly individuals with no COPD took part in the study. Depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale=GDS-15), IL-2 and TNF-α, serum cortisol, number of comorbidities, smoking habits and body composition were evaluated. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in COPD group. The number of comorbidities was higher in patients with depressive symptoms. No differences were found between IL-2, TNF-α and cortisol levels, years of smoking and smoked pack-years in the groups. The COPD group obtained lower body mass index (BMI) and fat content and higher fat free mass index as well as greater nutritional depletion.
Conclusions:
Depressive symptoms as well as fat and lean body composition, due to preserved BMI in those with nutritional depletion, must be investigated.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
