Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the change of the level of testosterone and CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ T cell in long-term mechanical ventilation patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their correlation.MethodsThe level of testosterone, count of CD₄⁺ and CD₈⁺ T cell were measured in 42 COPD patients accepted long-term mechanical ventilation and other 34 stable COPD patients. The ratio of CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ was calculated.The correlation between testosterone and CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ was analyzed.ResultsCompared with the stabel COPD, there were significantly differences in the level of testosterone and the ratio of CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ in long-term mechanical ventilation COPD group(P<0.05), but there was not relationship between them.ConclusionThe level of testosterone and the ratio of CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺ were significantly decreased in COPD patients with long-term mechanical ventilation. There is no correlation between the level of testosterone and the ratio of CD₄⁺/CD₈⁺.

Key words: lung disease, chronic obstructive, elderly, mechanical ventilation, testosterone, CD₄, CD₈, T cell