Are sputum eosinophils associated with a different phenotype in COPD patients? A retrospective study. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bartoli, Maria Laura; Latorre, Manuela; Vagaggini, Barbara; Nieri, Dario; Cianchetti, Silvana; Di Franco, Antonella; Celi, Alessandro; Paggiaro, Pierluigi
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine. Volume 190(2022)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: COPD -- Sputum -- Eosinophilia -- Severity; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Thorax -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106672
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-6111

Abstract

Abstract: Sputum eosinophilia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients seems to be associated with a better response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). To verify if this feature could identify a specific subpopulation of COPD patients, we retrospectively compared functional and inflammatory parameters of 110 COPD patients according to the presence of sputum eosinophilia (>2%). Patient with eosinophilia were characterized by lower dyspnea score, lower functional impairment and lower ICS use, suggesting that airway eosinophilia may be associated to a lower COPD severity and some functional "asthma-like" characteristics, therefore explaining the better response to ICS in this subgroup of patients. Highlights: - Sputum eosinophils, seldom measured in COPD patients, may offer useful informations. - Sputum eosinophilia is associated with lower level of COPD severity. - COPD patients with sputum eosinophilia have a prominent "bronchiolitic" phenotype. - They are less frequently treated with ICS, but may receive some advantage from them.