A clustering approach to identify the asthma-COPD overlap (ACO)

What is it about?

Phenotyping approaches have revealed the heterogeneity of pathophysiology between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although there is increasing recognition of the phenotype that has both asthma and COPD features, characteristics of the overlapping phenotype are still incompletely understood. In this study, a clustering approach successfully identified the asthma-COPD overlap phenotype, which was characterized by peripheral blood eosinophilia and higher levels of IgE. Moreover, the Th1/Th2 balance of the overlap phenotype was distinct from the Th1/Th2 balance of the allergic asthma phenotype.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The present study conducted in a cohort of both asthma and COPD patients found that the overlap phenotype between asthma and COPD was characterized by peripheral blood eosinophilia and higher levels of IgE. Moreover, the Th1/Th2 balance of the overlap phenotype was distinct from the Th1/Th2 balance of the allergic asthma phenotype. The clinical phenotype revealed by our clustering approach may contribute to the development of stratified medicine in chronic airway disease.