Thyroid dysfunction and inflammatory biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Relation to severity and exacerbation

ABSTRACT

Background: Thyroid dysfunction or non-thyroidal illness syndrome [NTIS] is frequently detected in chronic, systemic diseases. The systemic manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] include a number of endocrine disorders. The severity of hypoxia and airway obstruction in COPD patients might cause alterations in thyroid function. The aim of this study is to assess serum levels of thyroid hormones and the inflammatory biomarkers; IL-6, TNF-alpha in COPD patients during stability and acute exacerbation of the disease, and also to assess the relation between severity of COPD and levels of thyroid hormones