Systemic effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by an inappropriate/excessive inflammatory response of the lungs to respiratory pollutants, mainly tobacco smoking.Recently, besides the typical pulmonary pathology of COPD (i.e.chronic bronchitis and emphysema), several effects occurring outside the lungs have been described, the so-called systemic effects of COPD. These effects are clinically relevant because they modify and can help in the classification and management of the disease.The present review discusses the following systemic effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 1) systemic inflammation; 2) nutritional abnormalities and weight loss; 3) skeletal muscle dysfunction; and 4) other potential systemic effects. For each of these, the potential mechanisms and clinical implications are discussed and areas requiring further research are highlighted.

Myostatin up-regulation is associated with the skeletal muscle response to hypoxic stimuli

“…Besides primary effects in the lung, COPD as a chronic disease has secondary effects on other systems including skeletal muscle. Specifically, COPD is characterized by skeletal muscle dysfunction and atrophy (Agusti et al, 2003;Wouters, 2005). Chronic hypoxaemia, a common physiopathological consequence of COPD, has been proposed as a potential contributor,…”

Indoor Particulate Matter Associated with Systemic Inflammation in COPD

“…Systemic inflammation in COPD may contribute to disease morbidity and progression, including extra-pulmonary manifestations [23]. In fact, patients with COPD who have evidence of elevated inflammatory biomarkers, including serum WBC, may have increased frequency of exacerbations and increased all-cause mortality despite having similar lung function impairment [24]. It remains poorly understood why the inflammation in COPD persists, even after the inciting cause is removed (e.g.…”

The comparative characteristic of level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein indicators at comorbid course of arterial hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…Системна запальна реакція або системне запалення розвивається з ранніх стадій захворювання, коли клінічні прояви мінімальні, або відсутні взагалі [7,18]. Підвищений рівень С-реак-тивного білка, що спостерігається в дослідженні, узгоджується з результатами ряду авторів [19,20]. Серед клітин, що беруть участь у реакції системно-го запалення, переважають альвеолярні макрофаги.…”