Mitokine levels predict COPD outcomes

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mitokine levels are elevated and are associated with important clinical outcomes such as disease exacerbation and exercise capacity, a recent study has found.

The study included 165 patients with stable COPD in whom serum mitokine levels were measured using the relevant assays. Study outcomes were moderate and severe COPD exacerbations over a 12-month observation period. A parallel group of 49 smokers without COPD was included as a comparator.

At baseline, concentrations of the mitokine humanin (HM; p=0.037) and growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 (p=0.013) were significantly elevated in patient with COPD than in smoker controls. In turn, elevated HM levels were significantly associated with a high risk of exacerbation, increasing such likelihood by nearly three times (odds ratio [OR], 2.798, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.266–6.187; p=0.011).

HM concentrations were also tied to malnutrition (OR, 6.645, 95 percent CI, 1.859–23.749; p=0.004) and worse 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) performance (OR, 0.995, 95 percent CI, 0.991–0.999; p=0.008). The risk of future moderate (hazard ratio [HR], 1.826, 95 percent CI, 1.181–2.822; p=0.007) and severe (HR, 3.445, 95 percent CI, 1.357–8.740; p=0.009) exacerbations were likewise tied to HM levels.

Similar findings were reported for GDF-15. High concentrations were associated with a high risk of exacerbation (OR, 3.028, 95 percent CI, 1.134–8.083; p=0.027) and worse 6MWD outcomes (OR, 0.995, 95 percent CI, 0.990–0.999; p=0.017). Elevated GDF-15 also predicted desaturation during 6MWD (OR, 3.999, 95 percent CI, 1.487–10.757; p=0.006).