Reactive oxygen metabolites as an index of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease severity.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether reactive oxygen metabolite species (ROMs) correlated with lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to investigate whether ROMs could be used as an index of COPD severity.

Methods: ROMs were evaluated in plasma by a colorimetric method (d-ROM-test) in 94 patients with COPD and in 31 healthy nonsmokers subjects. Spirometry, exhaled carbon monoxide and pulse oxymetry was performed in all patients.