title: D-dimer levels in stable COPD patients: a case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High D-dimer levels have been detected in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation, irrespective of presence of venous thromboembolism. On the other hand, there is a continuing debate about the diagnostic efficiency of D-dimer tests in patients with stable COPD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate if basic laboratory investigations suggest hypercoagulability state in stable COPD patients, and if there is an association with D-dimer levels and pulmonary function tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a case-control study. COPD patients and controls were matched for sex and age in a 2:1 matching ratio. D-dimer levels and pulmonary function tests were performed in COPD patients and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 58 COPD patients and 30 controls met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The median of D-dimers was 0.24 ng/mL (IQR: 0.21-0.36 ng/mL) in COPD group and 0.17 ng/mL (IQR: 0.12-0.24 ng/mL) in control group. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.102). Using bivariate correlations, we found significant positive correlations between BMI and D-dimers in COPD patients (r = 0.3, p = 0.024).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that levels of D-dimers in stable COPD were not different as compared to control subjects. Our results also suggest that BMI could lead to disturbances in coagulation system.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. denise.rossato@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Denise Rossato
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Ana Cláudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: Marcelo Basso
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Gazzana
authors.forename: Sérgio Saldanha
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Menna Barreto
authors.forename: Marli Maria
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Knorst
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D