Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide health problem. In India very few studies have been done on qualitative and quantitative assessment of COPD, despite the fact that a large and increasing portion of the population is getting affected by COPD. The aim of this study was to assess certain biomarkers in COPD patients and to determine how COPD affects Quality of life and the level of these biomarkers. The study was done on 116 COPD patients who attended a tertiary care centre in Eastern part of India. Their severity of COPD was classified as per GOLD standard. Quality of life and biomarkers levels were assessed using the SGRQ-C and appropriate biochemical methods respectively.  Decreased serum nitrate level (33.67 ± 4.41µmol/L) and increased serum MDA level (6.38 ± 2.32nmol/L) was found, indicating increased nitrosative stress and increased oxidative stress respectively. Severity of COPD and impairment of QOL was found to be directly proportional, with significant decrease in activity component of QOL. Quality of life, as determined by the SGRQ-C, was impaired in patients with COPD. Overall it was found that quality of life deteriorated proportionately with increase in severity of COPD. There is increase in nitrosative stress which is reflected as decrease in NOS (serum nitrate) and increased oxidative stress which is expressed as high level of MDA in serum in COPD patients. Significant correlation exists between severity of COPD and serum NOS, MDA levels. Thus NOS and MDA can act as biomarkers in patients with COPD.

Keywords: COPD, NOS, MDA, QOL.

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