Assessment of Comorbidities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients by Chest High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT)

Purpose: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition often accompanied by various comorbidities that significantly affect patient outcomes. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has emerged as a valuable tool for diagnosing and managing COPD-related comorbidities. This study aimed to explore the impact of chest computed tomography (CT) imaging in identifying and characterizing comorbidities in COPD patients. Methods: The study was conducted on 99 patients with COPD, the median age of the study population was 70.0 years (Q1–Q3: 62.0–75.0); 86% were men (85), and 14% were women (14). All patients underwent chest HRCT to identify the presence of comorbidities. Results: According to the GOLD classification (ABE groups), 3% were type A, 27% were type B, and 69% were type E. The prevalence of comorbidities identified on chest HRCT was reported as 66% for coronary artery calcification (CAC), 83% for osteoporosis, 36% for pulmonary artery enlargement (PAE), 31% for emphysema, 19% for bronchiectasis, 17% for hiatal hernia, 14% for lung cancer, 12% pulmonary infections, and 3% for interstitial abnormalities. In 4%, there were no comorbidities, one comorbidity was found in 11%, two comorbidities in 17%, and three comorbidities and more in 68% of cases. Conclusions: Chest HRCT imaging serves as a valuable tool for identifying and assessing comorbidities in patients with COPD. Incorporating chest CT imaging into the routine evaluation of COPD patients may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of their condition and lead to better clinical outcomes.