Effect of noninvasive ventilation on interleukin-8 in COPD exacerbation

BACKGROUND : Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as a major global health problem is the cause of a considerable number of admissions to emergency departments which are related to acute exacerbation. The intrinsic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of COPD is partially unknown, however several immune disturbances have been shown to be associated with this disease. AIM : The aim was to determine the serum level of Interleukin-8 (IL 8 ) in acute exacerbation of COPD and after a period of treatment. MATERIALS and METHODS : Two blood samples were taken from 27 COPD patients who had been hospitalized due to an exacerbation, the first at the beginning of admission and the other at the time of discharge after a 7-10 day period of non- invasive ventilation (NIV) as treatment. These samples were measured for serum levels of IL 8 . RESULTS : serum levels of IL 8 were significantly different at the time of acute exacerbation from the time of discharge after treatment ( p= 0.035 ). On average serum levels of IL 8 were more at the time of admission in comparison with discharge. Minimum Maximum Mean Standard Deviation Sample1 0.029 0.49 0.07 0.08 Sample2 0.028 0.07 0.041 0.01 FEV1% 12 62 31.40 11.31 PAP 20 70 46.66 11.60 Distance% 18.60 77.70 58.37 14.06 BMI 16.67 33.73 24.77 4.06 O2Sat. Diff. 3 26 11.56 5.43 CONCLUSION : Since it is considered that immune reactions are involved in COPD, inflammatory assessments can be performed by means of some elements such as IL 8 , which levels increase and diminish with changes in inflammations. Through this method it may become possible to evaluate the severity of the disease and its response to treatment.