Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and comorbid hypertension: assessment of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction

This study was aimed at determination relationships between systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers and different cardiovascular and respiratory parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and comorbid hypertension. Methods . Sixty five patients (50 males, 15 females) with stage 1–4 COPD and hypertension of different severity were involved in the study. Results. High levels of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (hsCRP, sICAM1, endothelin1, and sPselectin) were found in patients with COPD and hyper tension. Statistically significant relationships were found between inflammatory biomarkers and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers and between biomarkers and different cardiovascular and respiratory parameters in patients with COPD and comorbid hypertension. Conclusion . Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction biomarker levels change according to increasing in systemic arterial pressure and worsening of bronchial obstruction. This relationship should be considered while examining patients with COPD and comorbid hypertension.