Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the major
causes of disability and fatality in the world along with posing a huge social and
economic burden. World health organization estimated that COPD had been the cause
of death in more than 3 million people around the globe. COPD is associated with
significant and progressive irreversible airflow obstruction characterized by narrowing
of the airways. Tobacco smoking has been observed to be the most common risk factor
for COPD, with indoor air pollution, occupational dusts and chemicals adding on to the
list of risk factors. On the other hand, Vitamin D been observed to play an important
role in many of the biological processes including the respiratory process wherein,
higher vitamin D concentrations have been associated with better lung function. Owing
to the immune and anti-inflammatory functions on respiratory epithelium, role in lung
tissue remodeling of vitamin D, and an observed deficiency of Vitamin D in patients
with COPD, there could be a potential relationship between the two. Aims and
Objectives- To evaluate the mean Vitamin D level according to COPD disease severity
category as per GOLD criteria, to examine the relationship between serum Vitamin D
levels and FEV1 at a sub-population level by categorizing the subjects based on gender,
age, smoking status and BMI.