Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41483406›Full record

ArticleLung2026

Sputum Eosinophils Predict Annual Remission of the Frequent Exacerbator Phenotype in COPD: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Hailun Huang, Yuling Hu, Zhaoqian Gong, Junrao Wang, Meijia Chen, Liyu Yang, Yisheng Lan, Wenshan Ouyang, Wenqu Zhao, Haijin Zhao

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Lung, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Hailun Huang *Chronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Yuling Hu *Chronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Zhaoqian Gong *Chronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Junrao WangChronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Meijia ChenChronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Liyu YangChronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Yisheng LanChronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Wenshan OuyangChronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Wenqu ZhaoChronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
Haijin ZhaoChronic Airways Diseases Laboratory, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China. zhjin@smu.edu.cn.

Funding

Clinical Research Program of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University 2023CR008GuangDong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2023A1515010406National Natural Science Foundation of China 82370029 and 82570037
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe frequent-exacerbator (FE) phenotype guides COPD management, yet its year-to-year stability and the role of airway eosinophilia in FE remission are uncertain.

methodsIn a single-center prospective cohort (n = 289), patients were classified as FE (≥ 2 moderate or ≥ 1 severe exacerbation in the prior year; n = 88) or non-FE (n = 201) and followed 12 months. FE patients were labeled FE-persistent or FE-remitted at 1 year. Clinical data, spirometry, CT, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), blood counts, and induced-sputum cytology were collected. Logistic regression identified correlates of remission; ROC/AUC with bootstrap validation and calibration assessed models.

resultsFE prevalence was 30.4%; 58.0% of FE patients remitted. Compared with non-FE, FE had higher SE% and more eosinophilic/mixed sputum phenotypes. Within FE, remitters had better lung function and greater airway eosinophilia. Each 1% SE% increase independently predicted remission (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.03-1.47); SE% ≥ 3% tripled the odds (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.29-11.91). Prior severe exacerbations and CT-defined chronic bronchitis predicted persistence (ORs 0.21-0.27). Models showed good discrimination (AUC 0.785-0.799; bootstrap-corrected 0.750-0.773) and calibration (Brier 0.179).

conclusionFE status is dynamic; over half remit within a year. Airway eosinophilia-especially SE% ≥ 3%-independently associates with FE remission, while prior severe exacerbations and CT-chronic bronchitis indicate persistence. Incorporating sputum cytology with history and imaging may enable earlier re-stratification and treatable-trait-guided COPD care.

Indexed as

EosinophilsPulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveSputumAgedDisease ProgressionFemaleFractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide TestingHumansMaleMiddle AgedPhenotypePredictive Value of TestsProspective StudiesRemission InductionSpirometryTomography, X-Ray ComputedAnnual remissionChronic bronchitisChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseFrequent exacerbator phenotypeSevere acute exacerbationsSputum eosinophils

Identifiers

PMID41483406

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.