The role of systemic inflammation in COPD

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as a preventable and treatable disease with significant extrapulmonary effects. Many of the extrapulmonary effects of COPD are thought to be mediated by systemic inflammation. Local inflammation has always been appreciated as part of the COPD disease process; however, it is becoming clear that the inflammatory response is also systemic. There are multiple theories about the mechanisms driving the systemic inflammation associated with COPD. However, there is no consensus on which theory is correct. The systemic inflammation likely contributes to systemic manifestations of COPD, including cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, weight loss, osteoporosis and diabetes.