Factors Associated with the Non-Exacerbator Phenotype of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2023 Apr 6:18:483-492. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S392070. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and no exacerbations may need less maintenance treatment and follow-up. The aim was to identify factors associated with a non-exacerbator COPD phenotype.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 1354 patients from primary and secondary care, with a doctor's diagnosis of COPD. In 2014, data on demographics, exacerbation frequency and symptoms using COPD Assessment Test (CAT) were collected using questionnaires and on spirometry and comorbid conditions by record review. The non-exacerbator phenotype was defined as having reported no exacerbations the previous six months. Multivariable logistic regression with the non-exacerbator phenotype as dependent variable was performed, including stratification and interaction analyses by sex.

Results: The non-exacerbator phenotype was found in 891 (66%) patients and was independently associated with COPD stage 1 (OR [95% CI] 5.72 [3.30-9.92]), stage 2 (3.42 [2.13-5.51]) and stage 3 (2.38 [1.46-3.88]) compared with stage 4, and with CAT score <10 (3.35 [2.34-4.80]). Chronic bronchitis and underweight were inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (0.47 [0.28-0.79]) and (0.68 [0.48-0.97]), respectively. The proportion of non-exacerbators was higher among patients with no maintenance treatment or a single bronchodilator. The association of COPD stage 1 compared with stage 4 with the non-exacerbator phenotype was stronger in men (p for interaction 0.048). In women, underweight and obesity were both inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (p for interaction 0.033 and 0.046 respectively), and in men heart failure was inversely associated with the non-exacerbator phenotype (p for interaction 0.030).

Conclusion: The non-exacerbator phenotype is common, especially in patients with no maintenance treatment or a single bronchodilator, and is characterized by preserved lung function, low symptom burden, and by absence of chronic bronchitis, underweight and obesity and heart failure. We suggest these patients may need less treatment and follow-up, but that management of comorbid conditions is important to avoid exacerbations.

Keywords: CAT; COPD; body mass index; chronic bronchitis; exacerbations; heart failure; lung function; sex.

MeSH terms

  • Bronchitis, Chronic* / diagnosis
  • Bronchitis, Chronic* / epidemiology
  • Bronchitis, Chronic* / therapy
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Obesity / diagnosis
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Phenotype
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / epidemiology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / therapy
  • Thinness / diagnosis
  • Thinness / epidemiology

Substances

  • Bronchodilator Agents

Grants and funding

The study was supported by grants from the Uppsala-Örebro Health Care region, the Swedish Heart and Lung Association, the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association and the Bror Hjerpstedts Foundation.