New Predictor of Atherosclerosis in Subjects With COPD: Atherogenic Indices

Respir Care. 2016 Nov;61(11):1481-1487. doi: 10.4187/respcare.04796. Epub 2016 Aug 9.

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate the predictor role of the plasma levels of lipid parameters and atherogenic indices on development of atherosclerosis in subjects with COPD.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 104 male subjects diagnosed with stable COPD in hospital records. We excluded subjects with exacerbation, with known cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases, receiving anti-hyperlipidemic treatment, without sufficient past medical history, and lacking needed laboratory data. Additionally, 40 age-matched male healthy controls were also enrolled. C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of COPD and the control group were analyzed. Atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, and atherogenic coefficient) were calculated.

Results: C-reactive protein, triglyceride, atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, and atherogenic coefficient values were significantly higher in subjects with stable COPD than in control subjects (P < .05 for all). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly lower in subjects with COPD than in the control group (P < .001). C-reactive protein, lipid profiles, and atherogenic indices were similar in lower-risk (stage A and B) and higher-risk (stage C and D) subjects with COPD. Cardiogenic risk ratio and atherogenic coefficient were negatively correlated with FEV1 in all stable subjects with COPD and in higher-risk subjects with COPD (r = -0.27, P = .01 and r = -0.35, P = .01, respectively).

Conclusions: We concluded that atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma, cardiogenic risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient) could be considered as a useful predictor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in stable COPD patients. Nevertheless, further prospective investigations on this issue are warranted.

Keywords: COPD; atherogenic indices; atherosclerosis; cardiovascular diseases; comorbidity; lipid profile.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atherosclerosis / etiology*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Humans
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / blood*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Lipids
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Triglycerides
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Cholesterol