Correlation of Lipid Profile with Severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic inflammation and metabolic disturbances, including dyslipidemia, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study assesses lipid profiles across different COPD severity groups and evaluates their correlation with disease progression. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 130 COPD patients at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Fasting lipid profiles of the patients were measured, and statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance, Tukey’s honestly significant difference test, and Spearman’s correlation. Results: Forty-six patients had mild COPD, 35 moderate, 52 severe, and 38 very severe COPD. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in mild, moderate, severe, and very severe COPD was 100.1 ± 15.4, 105.4 ± 17.3, 110.2 ± 18.0, and 115.9 ± 19.5 mg/dL, respectively. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were 49.8 ± 5.6 mg/dL in mild, 45.3 ± 6.0 mg/dL in moderate, 41.0 ± 5.8 mg/dL in severe, and 37.2 ± 6.5 mg/dL in very severe COPD. Triglycerides (TGs) in mild, moderate, severe, and very severe COPD were 135.2 ± 20.7, 145.6 ± 21.4, 153.4 ± 22.9, and 160.8 ± 24.0 mg/dL, respectively. HDL levels showed a statistically significant negative correlation with COPD severity (Pearson correlation coefficient of −0.275, P < 0.05). Conversely, TG, total cholesterol, and LDL levels exhibited positive correlations with COPD severity, with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.261, 0.273, and 0.23, respectively, all with P < 0.05. Conclusion: Lipid abnormalities, particularly elevated LDL and reduced HDL, are associated with increased COPD severity, highlighting the need for lipid monitoring in COPD management.