T2 Biomarkers as Predictors of Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Introduction: Type 2 (T2) biomarkers such as blood eosinophil count (BEC) and FeNO have been related to a higher risk of exacerbations in COPD. It is unknown whether combining these biomarkers could be useful in forecasting COPD exacerbations.

Methods: COPD patients were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter, observational study and followed up for 1 year, during which BEC were analysed at baseline (V0) while FeNO analyses were performed at baseline (V0), 6 months (V1) and 12 months (V2).

Persistently elevated exhaled nitric oxide fraction is associated with increased risk of exacerbation in COPD.

Preventing the occurrence of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a major therapeutic goal. We hypothesise that persistently increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide () during follow-up can identify a group of COPD patients at higher risk of AECOPD.To test this hypothesis, we measured levels (HypAir ®, Medisoft; Sorinnes, Belgium) prospectively in 226 clinically stable COPD outpatients at recruitment and during follow-up (at 6 and 12 months).