Simona Steliana Tudor, Gabriela Stoleriu, Ionela Daniela Ferțu, Caterina Nela Dumitru, Camelia Diaconu, Cristina Stanescu, Nicuța Manolache

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.2.17.8

ABSTRACT

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition frequently associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH), a severe vascular complication contributing to worsened prognosis and increased mortality. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical and paraclinical particularities in patients with COPD and associated PH, highlighting relevant risk factors, biological markers, and disease severity. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 150 patients diagnosed with COPD, admitted to the Internal Medicine Department of “Anton Cincu” Hospital, Tecuci, Romania, between November 2023 and October 2024. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (COPD with PH, n=30) and Group B (COPD without PH, n=120). Clinical examination, pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and laboratory evaluations were performed. Results: Patients with COPD and PH exhibited a higher mean age (67±12 years), greater smoking prevalence (76.6%), and a higher incidence of comorbidities, such as congestive heart failure (63.3%) and arterial hypertension (36.6%), compared to those without PH. A significantly higher proportion of patients in Group A presented with severe airflow limitation (FEV1 <60%), advanced COPD stages, and reduced exercise tolerance (mean 6MWT distance 417.8±98.5 meters). Elevated inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis, were more prevalent in COPD patients with PH. Conclusion: Pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients is associated with a more severe clinical profile, reduced functional capacity, and elevated systemic inflammation. Identifying specific clinical and biological parameters may aid in risk stratification, prognosis estimation, and therapeutic decision-making in COPD patients at risk of developing PH.