The relationship between metabolic syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome is a condition frequently found among individuals. It predisposes affected individuals to systemic inflammation and physical inactivity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of metabolic syndrome and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as markers of systemic inflammation in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with different severity levels and in an age-matched and sex-matched control group.Patients and methodsOne hundred COPD patients and 50 controls were included in this study. The severity level in patients with COPD was determined according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages I−IV, we measured the characteristics of the metabolic syndrome and systemic inflammation (high-sensitivity Creactive protein).ResultsThe frequency of metabolic syndrome was found to be higher in the patient group than in control individuals, especially in GOLD stages I and II. Abdominal obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia components of metabolic syndrome were significantly more prevalent in the patient group (P<0.05 for all). Increased CRP levels were higher in control and patient groups in all GOLD stages, with metabolic syndrome than without metabolic syndrome. P-values for control group and GOLD stages I–IV were 0.044, 0.483, less than 0.01, 0.048, and 0.076, respectively.ConclusionMetabolic syndrome is substantial among stable COPD patients, especially in the early stages (GOLD stages I−II). Abdominal obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia were significantly more in COPD patients with metabolic syndrome. An impaired profile of CRP levels was found in patients and control groups with metabolic syndrome than in individuals without metabolic syndrome.