Blood eosinophils and inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β-2 agonist efficacy in COPD.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

We performed a review of studies of fluticasone propionate (FP)/salmeterol (SAL) (combination inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)) in patients with COPD, which measured baseline (pretreatment) blood eosinophil levels, to test whether blood eosinophil levels ≥2% were associated with a greater reduction in exacerbation rates with ICS therapy.

Methods

Three studies of ≥1-year duration met the inclusion criteria. Moderate and severe exacerbation rates were analysed according to baseline blood eosinophil levels (<2% vs ≥2%). At baseline, 57-75% of patients had ≥2% blood eosinophils. Changes in FEV1 and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were compared by eosinophil level.

Results

For patients with ≥2% eosinophils, FP/SAL was

SUBMITTER: Pavord ID 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4752631 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature