Abstract

Objective: To reveal how serum lipid levels were affected in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that progresses with chronic inflammation, is usually associated with smoking and hypoxia and affects nutrition and effort capacity.

Material and Method: 110 patients with COPD referred to the Outpatient clinics of Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease between 15.01.2008 and 15.03.2008 were included to the study. The control group was composed of 60 healthy volunteers who participated in the study. The patient group was classified as moderate, severe, very severe COPD according to the GOLD classification. The patient and control groups were compared according to serum lipid levels, smoking status and body mass index.

Results: Total triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL cholesterol levels were significantly low in the patient group. No significant difference was found between HDL levels of patient and control groups. LDL levels were significantly low in the moderate COPD group, but no significant differences were found in LDL/HDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels between the groups. In the severe and very severe COPD groups, total triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower than the control group, whereas no significant difference was found between HDL levels.

Conclusion: Anaerobic changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism caused by hypoxia is thought to be the reason for the decrease in serum lipid levels of patients with COPD. One of the causes of low incidence of coronary artery disease in patients with COPD despite smoking habits and sedentary life; is thought to be related to the decrease in lipid levels.