A New Perspective on Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap: Potential Diagnostic Criteria

Abstract

The aim: The aim of the research was to analyze the results of observation and examination of COPD patients in order to identify a group of individuals with potential asthma overlap. Materials and methods: We have conducted a two-stage dynamic investigation of 43 COPD patients during 3–8 years. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 counted 30 individuals who presented with at least one episode of reversible bronchial obstruction (RBO) during the observation; group 2 – 13 individuals who presented with nonreversible bronchial obstruction (nonRBO). At the first stage, we conducted a clinical observations analysis and studied lung function examination records; at the second stage, we calculated the markers of allergic inflammation. Results: It was revealed that around 70% of COPD patients have occasional episodes of RBO. It was established that the level of blood eosinophils in these patients on the whole is rather low even in people with intermittent RBO, and the total IgE level appeared to be significantly higher in patients with intermittent RBO comparing to the level of this marker in patients who have nonRBO. Conclusions: COPD patients with intermittent RBO and high level of total IgE level form a group with potential asthma overlap.