Researchers of a study sought to answer the research question, “Are there differences between GOLD Group D patients with high BEC and those with low BEC regarding baselines characteristic and longitudinal outcomes?” Multivariable mixed models and logistic regression were used to compare clinical characteristics and outcomes of blood eosinophil counts (BEC)≤100 compared with BEC >100 (BEC100+) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n=1414) and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Group D (n=185) not on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).
Researchers looked at 485 patients with BEC≤100 (n=61 Group D) and 929 patients with BEC100+ (n=124 Group D). The BEC≤100 group had a greater amount of women, with more current smoking and less regular childhood asthma compared with the BEC100+ group. Comparable rates of lung function decline, exacerbations, mortality, and subsequent initiation of ICS was seen between the two BEC-defined subsets. Though, it was found that patients who were in GOLD Group D, BEC≤100 had greater rates of exacerbation within 365 years following enrollment and total follow up, as well as more decline in lung function and more emphysema at baseline. Researchers noted that more studies are needed on the therapeutic management of this specific population.
Reference: LeMaster WB, Quibrera PM, Couper D, et al. Clinical implications of low absolute blood eosinophil count in the SPIROMICS COPD cohort [published online ahead of print, 2022 Nov 4]. Chest. 2022;S0012-3692(22)04044-2. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2022.10.029
