Are acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with decreased CD4+ & CD8+ T cells and increased growth & differentiation factor-15 ( GDF-15 ) in peripheral blood?
The decrease in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (but not other lymphocyte subsets) in peripheral blood during AE-COPD may indicate T cell extravasation into inflammatory sites or organized lymphoid tissues. GDF-15, a sensitive marker of cardiopulmonary stress that in other settings independently predicts reduced long-term survival, is acutely increased in AE-COPD. These results extend the concept that AE-COPD are systemic inflammatory events to which adaptive immune mechanisms contribute.
There was no overall mortality benefit despite increased health service contact associated with the intervention.