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New Predictor of Atherosclerosis in Subjects With COPD: Atherogenic Indices
Sibel Gunay1, Muzaffer Sariaydin2, Akif Acay3
1Chest Disease Clinic, Afyon State Hospital, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. sibelgunay@gmail.com.
Insights
Atherogenic indices predict atherosclerosis in COPD patients. Higher levels of these indices and C-reactive protein, along with lower HDL cholesterol, were observed in COPD subjects compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Atherosclerosis is a primary driver of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in COPD patients.
- Investigating predictors of atherosclerosis in COPD is crucial for risk stratification and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive role of plasma lipid parameters and atherogenic indices for atherosclerosis development in COPD.
- To compare lipid profiles and atherogenic indices between stable COPD patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 104 male stable COPD patients and 40 age-matched healthy male controls.
- Measurement of C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol.
- Calculation of atherogenic indices: Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP), Cardiogenic Risk Ratio (CRR), and Atherogenic Coefficient (AC).
Main Results:
- COPD patients exhibited significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein, triglycerides, AIP, CRR, and AC compared to controls (P < .05).
- HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in COPD patients (P < .001).
- CRR and AC showed negative correlations with FEV1 in COPD patients, indicating poorer lung function is associated with higher atherogenic risk.
Conclusions:
- Atherogenic indices (AIP, CRR, AC) are valuable predictors of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in stable COPD.
- These indices, alongside lipid profiles and CRP, may aid in identifying high-risk COPD individuals.
- Further prospective studies are recommended to confirm these findings and guide clinical practice.
Background:
We aimed to investigate the predictor role of the plasma levels of lipid parameters and atherogenic indices on development of atherosclerosis in subjects with COPD.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed 104 male subjects diagnosed with stable COPD in hospital records. We excluded subjects with exacerbation, with known cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases, receiving anti-hyperlipidemic treatment, without sufficient past medical history, and lacking needed laboratory data. Additionally, 40 age-matched male healthy controls were also enrolled. C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of COPD and the control group were analyzed. Atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, and atherogenic coefficient) were calculated.
Results:
C-reactive protein, triglyceride, atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, and atherogenic coefficient values were significantly higher in subjects with stable COPD than in control subjects (P < .05 for all). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly lower in subjects with COPD than in the control group (P < .001). C-reactive protein, lipid profiles, and atherogenic indices were similar in lower-risk (stage A and B) and higher-risk (stage C and D) subjects with COPD. Cardiogenic risk ratio and atherogenic coefficient were negatively correlated with FEV1 in all stable subjects with COPD and in higher-risk subjects with COPD (r = -0.27, P = .01 and r = -0.35, P = .01, respectively).
Conclusions:
We concluded that atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient) could be considered as a useful predictor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in stable COPD patients. Nevertheless, further prospective investigations on this issue are warranted.
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