Study of asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome among an Egyptian sample of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthmatic patients

Abstract

Background Asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases overlap syndrome (ACOS) carries a higher risk than either condition alone, with more symptoms, more exacerbations, higher cost, and increased mortality, so the diagnosis and accurate treatment of patients with ACOS is very important in the clinical setting. Aim To study the prevalence of ACOS among patients with asthma and those with COPD and to detect the predictive factors of ACOS. Patients and methods We conducted an observational cross-sectional study involving 100 patients with bronchial asthma and 100 patients with COPD. We recorded demographic data, spirometric data, chest radiograph finding, peripheral blood eosinophil and neutrophils, and response to inhaled corticosteroids. Results Among the 200 studied patients, 16% of patients with asthma and 20% of patients with COPD fulfilled the ACOS criteria. Male sex and prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in first second/forced vital capacity% are predictors of ACOS development in asthmatic patients and that blood eosinophil are predictors of ACOS development in patients with COPD using odds ratio. Conclusion ACOS should be considered as an independent subgroup distinguished by demographic data, symptoms, spirometric indices, and granulocytic pattern.

Keywords

• asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases overlap syndrome
• bronchial asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases