Biochemical Markers of Cardiac Risk and Their Relation to Spirometric Indices of Airway Obstruction Among COPD Patients

Abstract

Abstract:Monitoring of the cardiac status of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and comparing them with their respiratory indices thought to be predictive markers of the general health of these patients and be indicative, even prognostic, of any impending deterioration. This study was destined to evaluate various aspect of serum prognostic factors in COPD patients. This study was conducted over a period of six months. During this time biochemical markers of 43 (34 male and 9 female) patients suffering from COPD were collected and compared them with those of 40 healthy case control subjects. The Methodology and Exclusion Criteria were strictly adhered to, and based on the statistical analysis shown below the final results were arrived at, which have been discussed at length below. The relation between smoking and COPD found to be controversial, but smoking none the less has a detrimental effect on the respiratory indices and thus, cessation of smoking would definitely benefit these patients, although the extent of the benefit is a matter of debate and further study. As for the individual markers, serum CRP and plasma homocysteine are definitely important as prognostic markers, as well as the indicators of the present stage of the disease. Serum Lipoprotein (a) was not found to be very effective indicator in this study. Homocysteine as well as CRP but not lipoprotein (a), as cardiac indices is inversely related to the respiratory indices of a COPD patient. Measurement of these parameter might help in prognostic evaluation in those patients.