Annals of medicine
-
Review
Systemic inflammatory biomarkers and co-morbidities of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can no longer be considered as a disease affecting only the lungs. Increasing evidence supports the presence of a systemic inflammatory component which is thought to provide the link between COPD and the co-morbidities commonly associated with this disease. These include cardiovascular disorders, skeletal muscle dysfunction, diabetes, and osteoporosis. ⋯ This review describes systemic biomarkers in COPD and their relationship with both the local lung and systemic manifestations of the disease. A summary is provided of the most promising biomarkers that have been investigated in COPD and its co-morbidities. Such biomarkers may be used to assess and manage the systemic effects of COPD, and may guide future development of novel therapeutic interventions to provide a more holistic approach to treating this multi-faceted disease.