Efficacy of laser and ultrasonic therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension comorbidity

The aim of this study was to improve efficacy of treatment of patients with comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension using laser and ultrasonic therapy (LUST). Methods. The study involved 68 patients with comorbid acute exacerbation of moderate COPD (AECOPD) and hypertension. Main clinical, laboratory and functional parameters, lung function, systemic blood pressure, and biomarkers of systemic inflammation were analyzed. The study group was treated with the standard pharmacological therapy and LUST, the control group was treated with the standard pharmacological therapy only. Results. Clinical symptoms, such as cough, sputum production and sputum volume, and dyspnea, significantly improved over 5 – 6 days of the treatment and maintained through all study period. Lung function and arterial blood pressure significantly improved in the study group compared to controls. Biomarkers of the systemic inflammation, such as IL-4,IL-8 and TNFα, were higher in both groups at baseline compared to healthy subjects and significantly decreased to the end of treatment in the study group compared to the control group. Conclusion. The combined standard pharmacological therapy plus LUST in patients with AECOPD was associated with significantly greater clinical improvement in clinical symptoms, lung function, arterial blood pressure and systemic inflammation.