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. 2013 Mar 5;14(1):31.
doi: 10.1186/1465-9921-14-31.

Target renal damage: the microvascular associations of increased aortic stiffness in patients with COPD

Michelle John  1 , Samia Hussain, Andrew Prayle, Rebecca Simms, John R Cockcroft, Charlotte E Bolton
Affiliations

Target renal damage: the microvascular associations of increased aortic stiffness in patients with COPD

Michelle John et al. Respir Res. .

Abstract

Background: Although renal impairment has been described in COPD, there is opportunity to evaluate further to determine nature and consider optimal management. Increased aortic stiffness, as seen in COPD, leads to reduced buffering of pulsatile flow. We hypothesised that urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) would reflect glomerular damage related to aortic stiffness.

Methods: Patients with COPD and controls underwent spirometry, blood pressure, arterial stiffness - aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and provided a spot urine sample for UACR, with other renal biomarkers measured.

Results: The UACR was increased in patients (n = 52): 0.80 mg/mmol compared to controls (n = 34): 0.46 mg/mmol, p < 0.05. Aortic PWV was related to log10 UACR in all subjects (r = 0.426, p < 0.001) and COPD patients alone. Aortic PWV was a significant variable for UACR with oxygen saturations, after accounting for potential confounders. Eight subjects (7 patients) reached a defined clinical microalbuminuria threshold, with aortic PWV greater in these patients compared to those patients without, although albuminuria is a continuum. Proximal tubular damage biomarkers, unlike the glomerular marker, were not different between patients and controls.

Conclusions: There is glomerular damage in patients with COPD evidenced by increased UACR, related to increased aortic stiffness. Besides the macrovascular prognostic implications of increased aortic stiffness, the microvascular state in COPD management should be considered.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Urinary albumin creatinine ratio in all patients with COPD and controls. Median and IQR.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Association of urinary albumin creatinine ratio to aortic stiffness in patients with COPD and controls. Solid Circle – COPD, Open Circle – Control smokers, Dotted line – All subjects (r = 0.426, p < 0.001), Black line – COPD (r = 0.316, p = 0.022), Dashed line - Control smokers (r = 0.524, p = 0.001).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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