Background Studies on the role of eosinophils in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are scarce, though available findings suggest a possible association with disease severity. Our study analyzes the relationship between eosinophils and COVID-19, with a focus on disease severity and patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 3018 subjects attended at two public hospitals in Madrid (Spain) with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from January 31 to April 17, 2020. Patients with eosinophil counts less than 0.02×10 9 /L were considered to have eosinopenia. Individuals with chronic respiratory diseases (n=384) were classified according to their particular underlying condition, i.e., asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, or obstructive sleep apnea. Results Of the 3018 patients enrolled, 479 were excluded because of lack of information at the time of admission. Of 2539 subjects assessed, 1396 patients presented an eosinophil count performed on admission, revealing eosinopenia in 376 cases (26.93%). Eosinopenia on admission was associated with a higher risk of intensive care unit (ICU) or respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) admission (OR:2.21; 95%CI:1.42-3.45; p <0.001) but no increased risk of mortality ( p >0.05). Conclusions Eosinopenia on admission conferred a higher risk of severe disease (requiring ICU/RICU care), but was not associated with increased mortality. In patients with chronic respiratory diseases who develop COVID-19, age seems to be the main risk factor for progression to severe disease or death.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Asthma, eosinophils, Eosinopenia, chronic respiratory diseases, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), OSA (obstructive sleep-apnea), 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, Mortality, intensive care, SARS-COV-2 infection, disease severity, progression, risk factor, eosinophil, ICU, Patient, Spain, death, Retrospective analysis, age, information, disease, Admission, Care, association, obstructive sleep apnea, severe disease, higher risk, PCR-confirmed, increased risk, subject, individual, increased mortality, chronic respiratory disease, Public Hospital, Obstructive, Result, enrolled, performed, lack, develop, less, were excluded, 【제목키워드】 respiratory, chronic,