What is the contribution of comorbid hypertension to the course of COPD?

It is known that patients with COPD, especially with an unstable course, are associated with an increase in cardiovascular risk. What is the contribution of comorbid hypertension to the course of the underlying disease? <bold>Objective:</bold> to determine the relationship between the presence of hypertension and the course of COPD. Materials and methods. The prospective study included 63 stable men with COPD of clinical groups A-D, stage II-IV, who were divided into 2 groups: Gr I consisted of 31 men with isolated COPD, age 56. 0 (8.5) years, Gr II - of 32 men with COPD and hypertension, age – 59.5 (7.5). The patients underwent a general clinical examination and a spirography test. STATISTICA 10.0 program was using. <bold>Results:</bold> In Gr I 21 patients (68%) complained of dyspnea; in Gr II - 25 patients (78%) (p = 0.3); 25 patients (80.6%) in Gr I complained of persistent cough with thick sputum that is difficult to clear and 30 patients - in Gr II (93.5%) (p=0.09). Patients of Gr I had 1.0 (1.0; 2.0) exacerbations over the past year and of Gr II - 2.0 (1.0; 3.0) (p = 0.06). mMRC scale in Gr I was 1.5 (1.0; 2.0) points, in Gr II – 2.0 (1.0; 3.0) points (p = 0.07). CAT in Gr I was 9.0 (8.0; 11.0) points, in Gr II – 17.5 (10.0; 20.0) points (p = 0.02). FEV1 in Gr I - 73,0 (50,0;91,0) % and in Gr II - 44,0 (32,0;65,0)% (p=0,03). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> The presence of comorbid hypertension is associated with more frequent exacerbations of COPD and a tendency to more severe bronchial obstruction in the stable phase. It is possible that the data obtained are related to the characteristics of antihypertensive therapy; this issue requires further study. In any case, the management of patients with COPD and hypertension must be approached with special care.