Comparison of blood eosinophils and plasma periostin in stable and non-stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: How we can improve the management of our patients

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated a significant correlation of sputum eosinophilia with blood eosinophils and periostin in COPD.We investigated whether blood eosinophils and plasma periostin in stable and AE COPD patients. Methods: Blood eosinophils and plasma periostin levels were measured in 36 stable COPD subjects selected from outpatient practice.Blood eosinophils and plasma periostin were measured in 36 patients with AE of COPD selected from pulmonary medicine department of university. Results: Acute exacerbations of COPD are associated with increasing of blood eosinophils (320±50/μL vs 180±60/μL in patients with stable COPD ;p 12% and 200ml increase in FEV1 from baseline after 3 month treatment). In patients with acute exacerbations of COPD with high levels of these were noted good response to the systemic and topical use of corticosteroids without managing of antibiotics. Conclusion: High blood eosinophils and high plasma periostin were associated with increased the number of AE of COPD and poor lung function and with improvement lung function after 3 month ICS/LABA treatment .In particular ,high blood eosinophils ,in combination with high plasma level periostin might be possible biomarkers for managing of exacerbations and also for identification of COPD patients with favorable FEV1 improvement in response to ICS/LABA treatment.