Blood eosinophils could be useful as a biomarker in COPD exacerbations.
Introduction: The aim of analysing the usefulness of the blood eosinophil count (BEC) as a prognostic marker in exacerbations of patients with COPD, evaluating its relationship with hospital mortality, the length of stay, and the early and late re-admissions.
Materials and Methods: We have carried out a retrospective study including all patients that required hospital admission between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009, with a diagnosis on hospital discharge of COPD exacerbation. These patients were classified using 3 cut-off points of BEC: less than 200 vs ≥200 /µL, less than 300 vs ≥300/µL, and less than 400 vs ≥400/µL.
Results: There were a total of 1626 hospital admissions during the study period with the diagnosis of exacerbation of COPD. In this study we have included 358 patients. The probability of any late re?admission increased with a BEC ≥300/microlitre (Odds Ratio: 1.684) and for those with a BEC ≥400/microlitre (Odds Ratio: 2.068). The BEC does not appear to be related to hospital mortality or the probability of early re?admission after an exacerbation of COPD
Conclusions: In our study an elevated BEC is associated with a higher incidence of late hospital readmissions in COPD exacerbations.