Indicator of arteriosclerosis in patients with COPD

Abstract

Background Cardiovascular events are an important part of the comorbidities and complications in COPD patients. Analyzing the data of the ratio of serum Eicosapentaenoic Acid to Arachidonic Acid: EPA/AA and Ankle Brachial Pressure Index: ABI, which were useful as an indicator of arteriosclerosis, we examined the correlation between them in this study. Methods A total of 149 subjects, male 84, female 65, were enrolled into the study after informed consents were obtained until January 2013 from May 2007 in Erimo town clinic in Hokkaido. We divided potential subjects into three groups: Group 1a had a history of COPD and sever exposure to tobacco smoke; Brinkman Index more than 800, Group 1b had a history of COPD and the other exposure history, Brinkman Index less than 800, and Group 2 had a history of other diseases without COPD, such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Results G1a was 38 subjects, male 28, female 10, G1b was 35 subjects, male 19, female 16, and G2 was 76 subjects, male 37, female 39, respectively. ABI in G1a: G1b: G2 0.81 ± 0.48: 0.83 ± 0.24, 0.91 ± 0.21, EPA/AA in G1a: G1b: G2 0.41 ± 0.13: 0.42 ± 0.11: 0.47 ± 0.16. G1a demonstrated significant decline in ABI and EPA/AA, when compared with G2. However there was no significant difference in the data between G1b and G2. Conclusion In COPD patients with severe exposure to smoke, significant decline in ABI and EPA/AA was observed. The results indicate that these patients have an increased risk of smoke-related cardiovascular diseases such as acute myocardial infarction and stroke.