Comparison of Homocysteine, Zinc, and Copper Levels in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Healthy Controls
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare serum homocysteine, zinc, and copper levels between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and healthy controls, and to assess their associations with systemic inflammation. STUDY DESIGN: A comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkiye, from February to April 2025. METHODOLOGY: This study evaluated homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B12, zinc, and copper levels in 30 COPD patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs). Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables between groups. The Student's t-test was employed for comparisons between two groups. Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between continuous variables. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in leucocyte, platelet, red cell distribution width (RDW), immature granulocyte, and immature granulocyte percentage levels in COPD patients (p <0.001, p = 0.024, p = 0.002, p = 0.035, and p = 0.022, respectively). CRP levels were significantly elevated in the COPD group (p = 0.006). No statistically significant differences were found in homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B12, zinc, and copper levels between the COPD and Control groups (p >0.05). All measured values in both groups were within the normal reference ranges. However, zinc levels positively correlated with RDW (r = 0.417; p = 0.030), and a negative correlation was observed between copper levels and RDW (r = -0.543; p = 0.009) in the COPD group. CONCLUSION: Homocysteine, zinc, copper, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels did not differ between COPD patients and HCs, all within normal ranges. Secondary analyses showed significant haematogram and CRP alterations, indicating systemic inflammation. These markers cannot be used as inflammatory parameters in COPD. KEY WORDS: COPD, Homocysteine, Zinc, Copper, Vitamin B12, Folic acid.
Authors: Hatice Sahin, Gurkan Cikim
Institution: Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7128903585
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