Abstract
BACKGROUND: The pulmonary component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to noxious particles or gases. HYPOTHESIS: The levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alfa (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP), in elderly patients suffering from COPD are increased. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A case control study involving 90 elderly participants from the outpatient clinics of Ain Shams University hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 90 subjects were subdivided into three equal groups ' group I (control), group II (patients with COPD), and group III (patients with COPD and cardiovascular complications). Comprehensive clinical assessment, pulmonary functions, and echocardiography were performed. The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and CRP were measured in the patients' serum and compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 10. RESULTS: IL1-βand CRP were significantly higher in the third group than the first group (P <0.05). There was a similar significant difference between the second and third group as regards IL1-βand CRP (P < 0.05). Positive significant correlation between CRP and TNF-α with stage of COPD according to FEV1 (P <0.05) were found. CONCLUSIONS: Complicated cases of COPD had higher levels of IL1-β and CRP and the more severe the cases, the higher the levels of CRPand TNF-α.