This cross-sectional study from the EXCEL London COPD cohort investigated the relationship between CT-detected mucus plugging and markers of neutrophilic and systemic inflammation. Among 81 COPD patients, the presence of mucus plugs was associated with higher blood neutrophil counts and increased fibrinogen levels compared with patients without mucus plugs. After adjustment for relevant clinical confounders, the association with blood neutrophils was attenuated, whereas fibrinogen remained independently elevated in patients with mucus plugging. Other systemic inflammatory markers did not differ between groups. These findings suggest that mucus plugging in COPD is linked to systemic inflammation, particularly elevated fibrinogen, supporting its role as a clinically relevant and potentially treatable trait and highlighting the need for mechanistic studies to identify targeted interventions.
Mucus plugging is associated with systemic inflammation in COPD
Baraldi, Federico;
2025
Abstract
This cross-sectional study from the EXCEL London COPD cohort investigated the relationship between CT-detected mucus plugging and markers of neutrophilic and systemic inflammation. Among 81 COPD patients, the presence of mucus plugs was associated with higher blood neutrophil counts and increased fibrinogen levels compared with patients without mucus plugs. After adjustment for relevant clinical confounders, the association with blood neutrophils was attenuated, whereas fibrinogen remained independently elevated in patients with mucus plugging. Other systemic inflammatory markers did not differ between groups. These findings suggest that mucus plugging in COPD is linked to systemic inflammation, particularly elevated fibrinogen, supporting its role as a clinically relevant and potentially treatable trait and highlighting the need for mechanistic studies to identify targeted interventions.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
