A NEW study has identified two key predictors of lung function decline in asthma: rising blood eosinophil counts over time and elevated sputum IL-8 levels. These findings offer valuable insights into monitoring and managing long-term asthma progression.
The study followed 125 adults with asthma for a median of 66 months. Researchers compared clinical and inflammatory characteristics between patients with accelerated lung function decline, defined as a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) loss greater than 0.85% per year, and those with stable lung function.
The results revealed that an increase in blood eosinophil count over time was significantly associated with accelerated FEV1 decline (p = 0.005). Additionally, later-onset asthma emerged as an independent risk factor (p = 0.036). Notably, patients with faster FEV1 decline exhibited significantly higher sputum IL-8 levels at baseline (499 pg/ml vs 143 pg/ml, p = 0.004).
“These findings suggest that monitoring blood eosinophil trends and IL-8 levels could help identify patients at risk of worsening lung function,” the authors stated.
The study underscores the importance of tracking inflammatory biomarkers in asthma management. By identifying patients at higher risk of FEV1 decline, clinicians can tailor treatments to prevent long-term airway deterioration and improve outcomes for asthma patients.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Graff S et al. Increase in Blood Eosinophil Count Over Time and Sputum IL8 are Associated with FEV1 Decline in Asthma. Lung. 2025; DOI: 10.1007/s00408-024-00760-9.
