Blood eosinophils could be useful as a biomarker in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations

Introduction The aim of analysing the usefulness of the blood eosinophil count (BEC) as a prognostic marker in exacerbations of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (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 who required hospital admission from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009, with a diagnosis on hospital discharge of COPD exacerbation. These patients were classified using three 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/µL (odds ratio: 1.684) and for those with a BEC ≥ 400/µL (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.