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Chronic obstructive lung disease

Elevated Blood and Sputum Eosinophil Counts Linked to Poorer Lung Function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at Peking University Health Science Centre in Beijing, People's Republic of China, conducted a study to investigate the value of combining blood and sputum eosinophil counts for assessing clinical outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involved 400 patients with COPD, who were divided into four groups based on blood and sputum eosinophil counts. The findings showed that patients with elevated blood and sputum eosinophil counts had poorer lung function, more severe airway resistance, and worse emphysema and air trapping at baseline. Furthermore, these patients had a higher risk of cough, wheezing, phlegm, and dyspnea.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 400 patients with COPD, who were divided into four groups based on blood and sputum eosinophil counts: low blood and low sputum, low blood and high sputum, high blood and low sputum, and high blood and high sputum.
  • Patients with elevated blood and sputum eosinophil counts had poorer lung function, more severe airway resistance, and worse emphysema and air trapping at baseline.
  • The high blood and high sputum eosinophils group had higher risks of cough (adjusted OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.92, p=0.006) and wheezing (adjusted OR=2.19, 95% CI 1.32 to 3.64, p=0.002).
  • The low blood and high sputum eosinophils group had higher risks of phlegm (adjusted OR=1.53, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.24, p=0.029) and dyspnea (adjusted OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.50, p=0.010).
  • The study concluded that elevated blood and sputum eosinophil counts are linked to worse lung function and a higher exacerbation risk in patients with COPD.

Statistics:

  • The study involved 400 patients with COPD.
  • Patients with elevated blood and sputum eosinophil counts had a higher risk of cough, with an adjusted OR of 1.87 (95% CI 1.20 to 2.92, p=0.006).
  • Patients with elevated blood and sputum eosinophil counts had a higher risk of wheezing, with an adjusted OR of 2.19 (95% CI 1.32 to 3.64, p=0.002).
  • Patients with elevated blood and sputum eosinophil counts had a higher risk of phlegm, with an adjusted OR of 1.53 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.24, p=0.029).
  • Patients with elevated blood and sputum eosinophil counts had a higher risk of dyspnea, with an adjusted OR of 1.68 (95% CI 1.13 to 2.50, p=0.010).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from Peking University Health Science Centre Broaden Understanding of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Assessment of the clinical prognosis of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using combined blood and sputum ...). Respiratory Therapeutics Week. November 3, 2025; p 1254.
  • BMJ Open Respiratory Research. Assessment of the clinical prognosis of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using combined blood and sputum eosinophil counts. 2025, 12(1). (BMJ Open Respiratory Research - http://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/).

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