Novel Predictors of Premature Aging in COPD Patients

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) results from gene(G)-environment(E) interactions occurring over the lifetime(T) of the individual (GETomics) that can damage the lungs and/or alter their normal development/aging processes. In COPD, processes including oxidant/antioxidant, protease/antiprotease, and proliferative/ antiproliferative balance, and the control of the inflammatory response become dysfunctional, as in aging. A close relationship between the pathogenesis of COPD and aging has been reviewed, and an increase regarding aging has been identified Aging is defined as a time-dependent progressive loss of physiological integrity, resulting in impaired function and increased vulnerability to death many chronic diseases are dependent on age and encompass physiological mechanisms related to the aging process The interconnection of the different markers of aging has not yet been studied in clinical subjects. We hypothesized that these markers, representing different interrelated aspects of the aging process, are altered in a cohort of COPD patients compared to the control group. These markers include growth hormone(GH), "Red cell distribution width (RDW) and SCINEXA (SCore for INtrinsic and EXtrinsic skin Aging) score as a read-out of biological age. SCINEXA is a validated score which measures the intrinsic and extrinsic factors regarding chronological skin aging and aging due to chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, Respectively. The major feature of aging is the role of hormones as key regulators of human muscle metabolism and physical function. Growth hormone (GH) actions impact growth, metabolism, and body composition and have been associated with aging and Longevity. While, red cell distribution width (RDW), a part of the standard complete blood count (CBC), is a simple and non-invasive parameter that can be used as a biomarker in evaluating the severity and mortality rates in COPD patients in acute attacks. Also, Elevated RDW has been associated with degenerative conditions in aging.