alpha-۱ antitrypsin deficiency in iranian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

background alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disease which affects both lung and liver. this disease is a recognized factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd). however its importance as the cause of copd in a country such as iran is unclear. objectives this study was conducted to find out the role of α-1 antitrypsin deficiency as a cause of copd in iranian patients. materials and methods the serum concentration of α-1 antitrypsin was determined and the genotype of α-1 antitrypsin was also evaluated by pcr-rflp in 130 patients with copd and 50 normal healthy blood donors. results no α-1 antitrypsin deficient case was found in normal healthy people and copd patients. conclusions our results clarify that deficiency of α-antitrypsin is not a major cause of copd in iranian patients.