[Comparative characteristic of the hormonal profile in men with stable obstructive pulmonary disease and smokers].

Comparative analysis of the hormonal profile was performed in 12 and 16 patients with mild and moderately severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) respectively, in 25 patients with chronic bronchitis, 13 smokers without respiratory symptoms and dysfunction of external respiration, and in healthy non-smokers. Patients with moderately severe COPD had lower concentrations of total and free testosterone and DHEA than smokers with chronic bronchitis and mild COPD. Blood androsterone level positively correlated with the forced expiratory volume during the first second and inversely related to the duration of smoking and severity of coughing.