Objective To analyze the relationship of serum IL-17, IL-8 levels and BODE index in patients with stable COPD, and investigate the clinical value of serum IL-17 and IL-8 in evaluating disease severity and prognosis. Methods A comparative study was performed in40 clinically stable COPD patients and 40 matched healthy individuals. The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-8 in both groups were measured. Correlation analysis was performed between serum IL-17, IL-8 levels and BODE index in the patients with stable COPD. Results The serumlevels of IL-17 and IL-8 in the COPD group were ( 114. 02 ±34. 84) pg/mL and ( 102. 67 ±31. 55) pg/mL, increased significantly compared with those in the healthy group which were ( 73. 22 ±14. 66) pg/mL and ( 35. 36 ±5. 04) pg/mL ( P lt;0. 05) respectively. Both of serum IL-17 and IL-8 levels were positively correlated with BODE index in the patients with stable COPD ( r = 0. 782, r = 0. 924, P lt;0. 001) . Conclusions High levels of serumIL-17 and IL-8 implies active inflammation in patients with stable COPD. Detection of serumIL-17 and IL-8 can help evaluate disease severity and prognosis.