ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disorder associated
with important extrapulmonary manifestations. COPD is characterized by progressive
expiratory airflow limitation, which is poorly reversible and is associated with chronic
airway inflammation and remodeling (1). Inflammation, combined with oxidative
stress, apoptosis, and proteolysis, eventually results in the emphysematous destruction
of lung parenchyma. In addition, COPD is associated with several systemic complica-
tions, including cachexia, weight loss, skeletal muscle dysfunction, osteoporosis,
heart failure, atherosclerosis, anxiety, depression, and cancer (1). In mild to moderate
COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, GOLD), these
extrapulmonary manifestations account for the majority of morbidity and mortality (2).
Accordingly, appropriate assessment and clinical management of these systemic
complications are essential for the improvement in the health status and prognosis of
COPD patients.
