The relationship between hypoxia, inflammation, and airway obstruction with carotid intima-media thickness in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

The present study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT) changes in peripheral vessels (carotid and vertebral artery) and inflammatory mediators (C-reactive protein (CRP), leucocytes, etc.), artery blood gas changes and airway obstruction in COPD patients. This study included 60 patients with COPD and 40 healthy control subjects. We used the GOLD criteria for COPD diagnosis. The patient group differentiated according to arterial blood gas values and the presence or absence of pulmonary failure, and its type if any was present. In all patients and control group members, blood leucocytes and CRP values were measured. The carotid, vertebral artery thickness, and total cerebral blood flow were measured using a Doppler USG device and standardized 7 MHz linear transducer. There was no significant relationship between age, sex, body mase index (BMI) and intima-media thickness between the two groups. In the present study, we found out that the CRP levels were higher in COPD patients than in the control group. In progressive COPD patients, CRP levels were the highest. Furthermore, we found out the CIMT was higher in COPD patients compared to the control group. In conclusion, the CIMT and atherosclerosis risk increased in COPD patients. Systemic inflammation causes a higher carotid intima-media thickness in COPD patients. This finding was used as an early risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Doppler USG was used to identify a carotid artery pathology early. Systematic inflammation continuing during a stable period causes increased carotid artery intima-media thickness. This entity plays a role in atherosclerosis etiology.