Systemic inflammation in peripheral arterial disease with or without coexistent chronic obstructive pulmonary...

Low-grade systemic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis and natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The aim of the study was to analyze plasma concentrations of selected markers of inflammation in patients suffering from PAD with or without coexistent COPD.

Thirty patients (6 women) with advanced PAD (at least IIb stage according to Fontaine scale) hospitalized due to critical limb ischemia were examined. In all patients spirometry was performed to confirm or exclude COPD. Plasma concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α was measured using ELISA method. Statistical analysis was performed according to COPD status and according to smoking status independently.

In the whole group of patients with PAD, COPD was recognized in 14 cases (for the first time in 10 cases). All patients were smokers (46.7% current, 53.3% ex-smokers). We found a significant correlation between FEV1%N (percent of norm of first second expiratory volume) and the number of years of smoking (r = -0.39; p < 0.05). We found similar concentrations of IL-6 (2.54 pg/ml vs. 2.31 pg/ml), IL-8 (8.55 pg/ml vs. 8.14 pg/ml, TNF-α (0.72 pg/ml vs. 1.75 pg/ml) in the COPD(+) group in comparison to the COPD(-) group (differences were not significant). We observed significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) between concentrations of measured markers and significant negative correlations between pain free walking distance and these markers.

Our study confirmed coexistence of PAD with COPD. The character of inflammation is similar in these smoking-related diseases.