Background: Humanin (HN), is produced as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction and may have major roles in chronic inflammation, malnutrition and exercise capacity in people with COPD.

Methods: A total of 165 patients with stable COPD and 49 smokers without COPD were enrolled. We assessed their serum HN levels and clinical characteristics at baseline. We recorded moderate and severe exacerbation for the next 12 months.

Results: Baseline serum HN (p=0.037) levels were higher in the COPD group. High HN levels were independently associated with a high risk of exacerbation (HRE) (OR 2.798 CI95% 1.266-6.187, p=0.011), malnutrition (OR 6.645 CI95% 1.859-23.749, p=0.004), and 6MWD (OR 0.995 CI95% 0.991-0.999, p=0.008), and future moderate (HR 1.826 CI95% 1.181-2.822, p=0.007) and severe exacerbations (HR 3.445 CI95% 1.357-8.740, p=0.009). and predicted future severe exacerbation (HR 4.217 CI95% 1.459-12.193, p=0.008). 

Conclusions: The HN levels were higher in patients with COPD than smokers without COPD, and were associated with important clinical outcomes such as exercise capacity and COPD exacerbation.