ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2010 June;169(3):67-75

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The relationship between two inflammatory diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chonic venous disease

Di Salvo A.

Ambulatory of Vascular Diagnosis and Geriatric Division, SS Salvatore Hospital, Mistretta (ME), Italy

Aim. The aim of study was to analyze the relationship between Chronic Obstructive Pulmo-nary Disease (COPD) and Chronic venous disease (CVD) of the inferior limbs, diseases characterized by inflammation through the dosage of inflammation’s markers.
Materials and methods. The study enrolled 60 patients selected on the basis of clinical history of COPD and FEV1/FVC <70% or presence of CVD (diagnosed with duplex scanning). The patients were subdivided in four group of 15: A: haelthy subjects; B: CVD; C: COPD; D: CVD + COPD. CVD patients (Group B and D) were classified according to CEAP classification while COPD patients (C and D) were classified according to criteria of GOLD classification. All patients were submitted at analisys of blood sample for determination inflammation’s markers.
Results. The results shoved normal values of markers in group A, elevated in B and C (with differences statically significant in comparison with A) and an important elevation of values in group D with differences that are statitically significant between this and the others.
Conclusion. This study suggesting that the presence of COPD and CVD in the same patient are correlated with an elevation of inflammation’s markers because the two diseases are associated by a common pathogenetic mechanism: inflammation. These patients require attention for preventing complications while venous thrombosis, cardiovascular events and acute exacerbations of COPD.