Non-invasive assessment of endothelial function of systemic arteries during obstructive chronic bronchopneumopathy in African Black subjects

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by high mortality. The latter is strongly attributed to cardiovascular events whose onset is endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling. Aims and Objectives: The aims were to evaluate the endothelial function during COPD and the factors involved with possible endothelial dysfunction in Senegalese Black men aged at least 18 years. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective and cross-sectional study. After a complete clinical examination and evaluation of the body composition by a bioimpedancemeter, the endothelial function was evaluated by EndoPAT2000®. Results: the mean age was 61.50 years ± 6.62. Of the subjects, 70% were smokers and 50% had limited chest enlargement. According to the body mass index and the percentage of body fat, underweight was 30% and 40%, respectively. The 75.5% of the meager could not be evaluated by bio-impedancemeter due to extreme thinness. Endothelial dysfunction involved 70% of subjects. In addition, 86% of subjects with endothelial dysfunction were smokers. The reactive hyperemia index was positively correlated with body mass index (P = 0.017 and r = 0.73), body fat percentage (P = 0.016 and r = 0.73) and visceral fat level (P = 0.008 and r = 0.78). Conclusion: The evolution of COPD would be laced with serious cardiovascular complications often fatal. The assessment of nutritional status and endothelial function is fundamental for better management of the disease.