Copd acute attack factors and the relationship of pulmonary function parameters

ABSTRACTCOPD ACUTE ATTACK FACTORS AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF PULMONARY FUNCTION PARAMETERSChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease charactarized by the restriction of air flow and shows no full reversibility. Acute exacerbations often require hospital admissions and hospitalizations.In this study, it was aimed to determine the frequency of viral and atypical patogens in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbations of COPD and investigate the relationship between these pathogens and parameters of lung function tests.Thirty patients with acute exacerbations of COPD and thirty healty volunteers were included in the study. A 5 mililiters of venous blood sample was taken on the first day and fourth week of hospitalization in COPD group and once in control group. Then, the sera were tested for IgM and IgG antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumonia, Legionella pneumophila, Chlamidia pneumoniae, Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), İnfluenza A and Adenovirus.IgM antibody titers due to different pathogens were all positive in COPD group. İn COPD group, IgG antibody titers to M. Pneumonia were positive in 6 of the 30 patients (20%), RSV in 26 of the 30 patients (86.6%), C.pneumoniae in 22 of the 30 patients (73.3%), Adenovirus in 28 of the 30 patients (93.3%), İnfluenza A in 18 of the 30 patients (60%). There was no IgG antibody positivity to L.pneumophila in patients with COPD. IgG antibody titers to İnfluenza A were significantly higher in COPD group than controls (?2=5.455, p=0.020). Antibody titers to other pathogens were similiar in both groups.When we investigated the relationship between lung function parameters and pathogens responsible for acute exacerbations of COPD, no statistically significant difference was found in FEV1values and FEV1/FVC ratios between two groups.In conclusion, viruses and atypical pathogens has important roles for acute exacerbations of COPD, but no important relationship between responsible pathogen for exacerbation and airway obstruction was found.Key words: Acute exacerbation of COPD, atypical pathogens, lung function test