Biomarkers for the prediction of COPD exacerbations: Elevated blood eosinophils and serum IgE

Abstract

Background: The presence of eosinophils in the airways, once thought to be unique to asthma, has been identified as an inflammatory characteristic in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The goal of this study is to determine whether or not higher blood eosinophils are connected with COPD exacerbations. Examining whether or if higher levels of blood eosinophils and serum IgE are associated with COPD exacerbation. Methods: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from Department of TB &CD, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India, participated in the research. One-year, cross-sectional observational study conducted between January 2020 to November 2020. After receiving approval from a regional ethical review board and obtaining patients signed informed agreement, the study commenced. There were 120 patients with COPD; 101 were men and 19 were women, and their ages ranged from 44 to 76. Results: There were 120 patients with COPD; 101 were men and 19 were women, and their ages ranged from 44 to 76. The proportions of the COPD population in each of the GOLD tiers (I, II, III, and IV) were as follows: 21, 40, 58, and 21. Fifty-three had stable COPD and 87 had COPD exacerbations. It was found that the AEC was present in both stable COPD and COPD exacerbation, while the Serum IgE was present only in the latter. Elevated levels of AEC and Serum IgE were found in current smokers compared to those seen in nonsmokers. Conclusion: The AEC and serum IgE levels of a patient can be used as biomarkers of COPD exacerbations, which enables the patient to be identified as one who is most likely to respond to ICS treatment.