Heterozygosity in the Pi-system as a pathogenetic cofactor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Bartmann, K.; Fooke-Achterrath, M.; Koch, G.; Nagy, I.; Schütz, I.; Weis, E.; Zierski, M.
European Journal of Respiratory Diseases 66(4): 284-296
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0106-4339 PMID: 3874784 Document Number: 261154
A population (n = 526), consisting of employees with COPD , was compared with 2 control populations for the prevalence of Pi-phenotypes. In the patient group, the proportions of ZZ, SZ and MZ were significantly elevated. The role of .alpha.1-antitrypsin deficiency as a cofactor in COPD was also evaluated. Severity of disease was estimated by standard pulmonary function tests, X-ray signs for emphysema nd clinical assessment. Patients with ZZ, SZ and MZ were significantly worse than their MM partners. An influence of MS cannot be rejected. Phenotyping of all patients with COPD was advocated. Screening is also by determining the ratio of .alpha.1-antitrypsin and acid .alpha.1-glycoprotein concentrations, which allowed detection of all ZZ, SZ, MZ and about 60% of the MS patients.