THE RELATION BETWEEN PLASMA FIBRINOGEN LEVEL AND DISEASE OUTCOME IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE EXACERBATION OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered as a systemic
disease by chronic inflammation with exacerbation episodes. Fibrinogen is a marker of systemic
inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between plasma of fibrinogen level with
adverse outcome in COPD patients.
Materials & Methods: In this cohort study patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted to
pulmonary ward were studied prospectively. They were divided into two cohort, patients with high
plasma fibrinogen (>400 mg/dl) and less than 400 mg/dl on admission day venous blood. The patients
were followed for duration of hospitalization and any adverse outcome (death in the hospital, transfer
to ICU, intubation and mechanical ventilation). Relation of fibrinogen level with outcome evaluated.
Results : Among 54 patients, 15 had adverse outcome, and 39 good outcomes. Among these two
groups, the mean plasma fibrinogen was 530±256.43 mg/L and 155.67±96.55, respectively (p=0.001).
In 14 patients plasma fibrinogen level was >400 mg/dl and in 40 patients