Serum Complement and Immunoglobulin Levels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Year 2000, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 13 - 16, 01.08.2000

Fisun Karadağ Mehmet Polatlı Orhan Çildağ Neriman Aydın

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the serum level of complements and immunoglobulins in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their correlation with COPD exacerbations. Methods: The study was performed with 24 male COPD patients (mean age 64±7.59) and 20 healthy smokers as the control group. Pulmonary function tests were done with Minato AutoPal dry spirometry according to American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria. Serum complement and immunglobulin levels were determined with the nephelometric technique in morning venous blood sample. Statistical analyses were performed with ‘Mann-Whitney’ and ‘Spearman correlation coefficient tests. Results: Patients having 38±27.42 pack-years smoking history were evaluated with clinical and laboratory findings for exacerbation of COPD. Mean serum C3 level was 126.18±29.70 mg/dl and C4 was 29.49±8.98 mg/ dl in COPD patients whereas they were 125.37±22.22 mg/dl and 29.12±10.55 mg/dl respectively in the control group. Serum complement and Ig levels were similar in both groups. Complement levels were not different in the stable period and acute exacerbation of COPD. There was significant negative correlation between IgG and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (r= -0.4075, p= 0.048). Discussion: As a result, while an increased serum IgG level was found in severe COPD patients, there was no difference between COPD and healthy subjects with regards to other study parameters. We conclude that serum complement level is not useful either in determining COPD severity, or as a marker of COPD exacerbation.

Keywords

COPD, complement, immunglobulins

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