Role of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major factor for disease related loss of quality of life, health expenditure and loss of productivity. An enhanced and persistent inflammatory response to the inhalation of particles and gases, mostly tobacco smoking, is considered a key pathogenic mechanism of COPD. Recent evidence indicates that autoimmunity plays a significant role in this response.Aim of the workThis study investigated the role of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of COPD by determining the prevalence of circulating autoantibodies in these patients and in healthy controls and evaluating their relationship with several disease components.Patient and methodsThis study included 31 COPD patients and 12 healthy non-smoker controls. All individuals were subjected to detailed history taking, full clinical examination, BMI calculation, arterial blood gas analysis, spirometry, 6MWD and assessment of serum level of circulating autoantibodies.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference between COPD patients and healthy controls in the spirometric data, PaO2, SO2 and 6MWD; however there was no statistically significant difference between both groups in the prevalence of autoantibodies. Also there was no statistically significant correlation between the prevalence of autoantibodies and other variables such as age, BMI, 6MWD, spirometric and ABG parameters.ConclusionThe prevalence of positive circulating autoantibodies in COPD patients was found not significant when compared with healthy non smoker control group. This finding does not support a role for autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of COPD. So the hypothesis that autoimmunity plays a role in the pathogenesis in COPD needs further exploration.