Document Type
Article
Journal Title
Respiratory Research
Publication Date
2010
Volume
11
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The percentage of neutrophils in sputum are increased in COPD patients, and may therefore be a biomarker of airway inflammation. We studied the relationships between sputum neutrophils and FEV1, health status, exacerbation rates, systemic inflammation and emphysema, and long term variability at 1 year.
METHODS: Sputum samples were obtained from 488 COPD patients within the ECLIPSE cohort. 359 samples were obtained at baseline, and 297 after 1 year. 168 subjects provided samples at both visits. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, surfactant protein D and C-reactive protein levels were measured by immunoassays. Low-dose CT scans evaluated emphysema.
RESULTS: Sputum neutrophil % increased with GOLD stage. There was a weak association between % sputum neutrophils and FEV1 % predicted (univariate r2 = 0.025 and 0.094 at baseline and year 1 respectively, p < 0.05 after multivariate regression). Similar weak but significant associations were observed between neutrophil % and health status measured using the St Georges Respiratory Questionairre. There were no associations between neutrophils and exacerbation rates or emphysema. Associations between sputum neutrophils and systemic biomarkers were non-significant or similarly weak. The mean change over 1 year in neutrophil % was an increase of 3.5%.
CONCLUSIONS: Sputum neutrophil measurements in COPD are associated weakly with FEV1 % predicted and health status. Sputum neutrophil measurements were dissociated from exacerbation rates, emphysema and systemic inflammation.
MeSH Headings
Aged, Biomarkers, C-Reactive Protein, Canada, Europe, Female, Forced Expiratory Volume, Humans, Immunoassay, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8, Linear Models, Longitudinal Studies, Lymphocyte Count, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Neutrophils, New Zealand, Prognosis, Prospective Studies, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Pulmonary Emphysema, Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index, Sputum, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, United States
DOI Link
ISSN
1465-993X
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Singh, Dave; Edwards, Lisa; Tal-Singer, Ruth; and Rennard, Stephen I., "Sputum Neutrophils as a Biomarker in COPD: Findings From the ECLIPSE Study" (2010). Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med. 89.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/com_pulm_articles/89
Included in
Allergy and Immunology Commons, Critical Care Commons, Respiratory System Commons, Respiratory Tract Diseases Commons