COPD as a risk factor for carotid artery disease (CAD) and low-extremity artery disease (LEAD)

We aimed to investigate the association between COPD and peripheral artery disease (PAD), the relation to the severity of airflow limitation and the level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Cross-sectional study including 120 patients with initially diagnosed COPD, aged 40 to 75 years and 60 non-COPD subjects matched by age, smoking status, body mass index, as controls. All study participants underwent pulmonary evaluation (dyspnea severity assessment, baseline and post-bronchodilator spirometry, gas analyses, chest X-ray), Doppler ultrasonography and measurement of serum CRP. Results presented statistically significant difference in presence of LEAD in COPD patients compared to controls (78.3% vs 38.3%; P We found higher prevalence and severity of PAD in COPD patients compared to non-COPD and significant relation to FEV1 decline and serum CRP. Our findings suggest a need for early screening for PAD in COPD and an integrated-care approach.