TO STUDY THE RISK OF CARDIOVASCULAR MORBIDITY & MORTALITY IN STABLE COPD PATIENTS

The epidemiologic evidence linking COPD and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is strong. Even after adjustments for traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as serum total cholesterol Hypertension, obesity and smoking, patients with COPD have a two-to threefold increase in the Risk of cardiovascular events including death. We concluded that more severe the stage of COPD more is the risk of cardiovascular morbidity & mortality. Stable COPD patients are 1.5 [males] & 1.4 [females] times at risk to develop cardiovascular disease as compared to the general population. Among the established risk factors studied: - Age> 60 yrs, Positive Smoking History, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, and Body Mass Index > 30 Kg/M2 are found in a statistical significant correlation with progressively worsening stages of COPD. A positive but statistically insignificant correlation was demonstrable between the family history of cardiovascular disease in first degree relatives of Stable COPD patients, and increasing cardiovascular morbidity & mortality. In stable COPD patients, Systemic hypertension with resultant Left ventricular Hypertrophy predisposes the patient to an increased risk of Myocardial infarction & correspondingly increased CVS morbidity & mortality. Progressively decreasing FEV1, decreasing FVC, decreasing FEV1/FVC ratio, have a statistically significant correlation to cardiovascular mortality & morbidity. Se CRP levels provide an accurate indicator for assessment of severity of cardiovascular morbidity & mortality in Stable COPD patients. Significant correlations were demonstrated between the treatment that patient requires for stability & cardiovascular disease. Patients on Home Oxygen therapy, oral steroids & bronchodilators despite being Stable COPD should be under closer surveillance for cardiovascular complications. Cardiovascular disease is an important but underrated cause of COPD morbidity & mortality. Hence should be addressed to improve overall disease outcome.