Investigation of serum copeptin and galectin-3 enzyme levels in cases with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objectives: The scarcity of biochemical parameters that can be used to understand the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and severity of acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in emergency departments is one of the important clinical problems. With this study, it was aimed to investigate whether Copeptin and Galectin-3 have a determinative value in determining the diagnosis and severity of the disease in patients admitted to emergency departments with acute exacerbation of COPD. Materials and Methods: 85 patients who applied to the Yozgat Bozok University Research and Practice Hospital Emergency Clinic between 01/11/2018 - 30/06/2019 with exacerbation of COPD were included in the study. The patients were classified according to the GOLD classification.A total of 5 groups, 4 patient groups and 1 control group, were created. Copeptin and Galectin-3 levels were measured from the venous blood samples taken from the groups. The data were evaluated using SPSS version 20.0. Values with P <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Copeptin levels were statistically significantly higher in GOLD 1, GOLD 2, GOLD 3 and GOLD 4 patient groups (p<0,001). There was no significant difference in the control group (p = 0.667). Galectin-3 levels were statistically significantly higher in GOLD 1, GOLD 2, GOLD 3, GOLD 4 groups (p<0,001). There was no significant difference in the control group (p> 0.05). C Reactive Protein and WBC values were statistically significantly higher in the GOLD 4 group (p<0,001). They were statistically significantly lower in GOLD 1 group and control group (p<0,001). PH levels were statistically significantly lower in GOLD3 and GOLD 4 groups (p<0,001). PCO2 level was found statistically significantly higher in GOLD 4 group (p<0,001). PCO2 level was statistically significantly lower in GOLD 1 and control groups (p<0,001). Conclusion: Acute COPD exacerbation is a disease with frequent mortality and morbidity, frequently applied to emergency departments. Defining the severity of the disease early in patients with acute COPD exacerbation improves the prognosis of the disease. As far as we know, our study is the first study in the literature to evaluate Copeptin and Galectin-3 levels together in patients with acute COPD exacerbation.According to the results of our study, the time taken to diagnose these patients in the emergency departments and to determine the severity of the disease can be shortened. The cost of treatment can be reduced by reducing the number of unnecessary tests requested to patients. Treatments can be started quickly by performing early hospitalizations. In this way, the duration of patients' stay in the emergency departments can be reduced and inappropriate discharges can be prevented. Based on the results of our study and similar studies in approaching patients with acute COPD exacerbation, current diagnosis and treatment guidelines can be rearranged. Further studies are needed in this regard. Key words: COPD, Copeptin, Galectin -3, Acute COPD exacerbation