All-cause mortality and related factors in patients with varying degrees of peripheral blood eosinophilia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate all-cause mortality rates and related factors in patients with different levels of eosinophilia. This retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2020 and December 2022 in the Internal Medicine Department of Dr Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkiye. A total of 161 patients with eosinophilia (at least 3 times) were included and divided into groups with absolute eosinophil counts of 500–999/µL (mild), 1000–1500/µL (moderate), and >1500/µL (severe). The mean age of patients was 65.67 ± 16.64 years at the time of admission, and 45 patients (57.8%) were male. The rates of mortality, oncological disease, and organ involvement were significantly higher in the severe group (P < .05). Increased serum total immunoglobulin E and vitamin B12, hematocrit value, eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and leukocyte were observed in eosinophilic patients. Decreased lymphocyte count, hemoglobin and hematocrit values were higher in deceased patients than in survivors (P < .05). Increased eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, vitamin B12, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were observed in participants who died compared to those who survived (P < .05). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that advanced age and higher LDH activity were independently associated with greater mortality risk while receiving non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs or proton-pump inhibitors were associated with reduced mortality risk (P < .05). Advanced age and increased LDH activity were independently associated with greater risk for mortality, whereas absolute eosinophil counts was not. Considering the literature on this topic, our results show the need for further clinical and fundamental research to understand the role of eosinophils in human disease.