The present study was performed to examine circulating levels of leptin and IGF-I at the onset of COPD exacerbations (D1) and two weeks later (D15) and furthermore to investigate the relationship of plasma leptin and IGF-I concentrations with cytokine concentrations as a possible reflection of the enhanced inflammatory status observed during the COPD exacerbation. The gene discussed is IGF1; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.