Clinical Implications of Low Absolute Blood Eosinophil Count in the SPIROMICS COPD Cohort.

Background: The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) considers blood eosinophil counts < 100 cells/μL (BEC) in people with COPD to predict poor inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) responsiveness. However, the BEC phenotype is inadequately characterized, especially in advanced COPD.

Research Question: Are there differences between GOLD group D patients with high BEC and those with low BEC regarding baseline characteristics and longitudinal outcomes?

Study Design And Methods: We used multivariable mixed models and logistic regression to contrast clinical characteristics and outcomes of BEC vs BEC > 100 (BEC) in all subjects with COPD (n = 1,414) and GOLD group D subjects (n = 185) not receiving ICS.

Introduction to Special Issue on Advanced Cancer Care and Palliative Care Integration.

Palliative care is uniquely positioned to optimize the care of the oncology patient through exploring unmet needs and utilizing interdisciplinary care. The studies presented here highlight some of the ways this can be done which includes: identifying patients at risk or in need; providing solutions to those requiring community supports; addressing psychological and existential concerns; managing symptoms over the course of a disease; communicating prognosis effectively and with compassion; exploring goals of care and advance directives; and facilitating conversations regarding goals, preferences, and values.