Can we predict the prognosis of COPD with a routine blood test?

Abstract

Wei Xiong,1 Mei Xu,2 Yunfeng Zhao,3 Xueling Wu,4 Bigyan Pudasaini,1 Jin-ming Liu1 1Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 2Department of Pediatrics, Gongli Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 3Department of Respiratory Medicine, Punan Hospital, 4Department of Respiratory Medicine, Renji Hospital, Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China Background: The major characteristic of COPD is systemic inflammation. The parameters such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and eosinophil-to-basophil ratio (EBR) in routine blood test (RBT) are considered to be the underlying biomarkers of inflammation. We hypothesized that the prognosis of patients with COPD can be predicted with RBT. Methods: Patients with COPD in stable stage were enrolled. The RBT, pulmonary function testing (PFT), BODE index, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were performed at enrollment and every follow-up once in every 3 months during the 24-month follow-up period. Meanwhile, exacerbation count and mortality incidence were recorded. The correlation between the prognostic biomarkers and the prognosis of patients was analyzed. Results: The NLR and EBR in RBT have a significant correlation with the severity of patients with COPD. The NLR is an independent predictor for mortality and the EBR is an independent predictor for exacerbation. Conclusion: As an inexpensive, accessible, and convenient assay, RBT may be used as a practical means in the prediction of prognosis of patients with COPD in future clinical settings. Keywords: COPD, prognosis, inflammation, routine blood test, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, eosinophil-to-basophil ratio

Keywords

• COPD
• prognosis
• inflammation
• routine blood test
• neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio
• eosinophil to basophil ratio