Comprehensive Cluster Analysis for COPD Including Systemic and Airway Inflammatory Markers.

In this study, the patients were described by a total of 84 mixed sets of variables with some missing values. Hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) was applied on multiple imputation. In the final step, patients were classified into homogeneous distinct groups by consensus clustering. Three different clusters, which shared similar smoking history were found. Cluster 1 included men with moderate airway obstruction (n = 67) while cluster 2 comprised men who were exacerbation-prone, with severe airflow limitation and intense granulocytic airway and neutrophilic systemic inflammation (n = 56). Cluster 3 essentially included women with moderate airway obstruction (n = 55). All clusters had a low rate of bacterial colonization (5%), a low median FeNO value (<20 ppb) and a very low sensitization rate toward common aeroallergens (0-5%). CAT score did not differ between clusters. Including markers of systemic airway inflammation and atopy and applying a comprehensive cluster analysis we provide here evidence for 3 clusters markedly shaped by sex, airway obstruction and neutrophilic inflammation but not by symptoms and T2 biomarkers. PMID: 33092418 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: COPD Source Type: research