Buhr, Russell G.

Abstract Rationale Inflammation is central to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis but incompletely represented in COPD prognostic models. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a readily available inflammatory biomarker. Objectives To explore the associations of NLR with smoking status, clinical features of COPD, and future adverse outcomes. Methods We analyzed NLR calculated from the complete blood count of participants who currently or formerly smoked (n = 2,624) and tobacco-naive control subjects (n = 187) in the SPIROMICS multicenter observational cohort study. We assessed the stability of NLR at 6 weeks and 1 year, the association with select blood biomarkers, and the impact of smoking on NLR and cell counts. We stratified participants by NLR quartiles to compare cross-sectional clinical features at enrollment, prospectively observed exacerbations at 1 year, and mortality during longitudinal follow up. Results Higher NLR quartiles were broadly associated with more severe clinical features of COPD. NLR values were repeatable at 6 weeks (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.74) and 1 year (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.62). The impact of smoking on NLR varied with the severity of airflow limitation, mediated by an interaction between smoking, forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted, and neutrophil counts but not lymphocyte counts. The highest NLR quartile (>3.11) was associated with an increased risk of exacerbation over 1 year (adjusted odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.18, 1.92) and increased risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.20, 1.66) compared with quartiles 1–3. Conclusions Elevated NLR in stable COPD is a widely available biomarker associated with increased risk for exacerbation and death. The impact of cigarette smoking on NLR varies with disease severity.

ImportanceIdentifying factors associated with resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic can inform targeted interventions and resource allocation for groups disproportionately affected by systemic inequities.ObjectiveTo examine factors associated with self-reported resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic in racially and ethnically diverse, community-dwelling US adults.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the Collaborative Cohort of Cohorts for COVID-19 Research (C4R) study, which assessed the associations of the pandemic with self-reported resilience of participants from 14 established US prospective cohorts since January 2021. This report includes participants who responded to the self-reported resilience question on C4R questionnaires. Data was initially analyzed from October 2023 to May 2024, with updated analyses performed from August 2024 to April 2025.ExposureRace and ethnicity, behavior factors, health conditions, and social determinants of health measurements accessed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic through cohort visits and C4R questionnaires.Main Outcomes and MeasuresSelf-reported resilience was collected via 1 question (from the Brief Resilience Scale) in C4R questionnaires, “I tend to bounce back quickly after hard times.” Participants who answered agree or strongly agree were classified as resilient, and those who reported neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree were classified as not resilient. Modified Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and access multivariable-adjusted associations with resilience.ResultsOf 31 045 participants (18 672 [60%] women; 10 746 [34.6%] aged <65 years), 1185 (3.8%) identified as American Indian, 6728 (21.7%) as Black, 293 (0.9%) as East Asian, 6311 (20.3%) as Hispanic, 565 (1.8%) as South Asian, and 15 961 (51.3%) as White; a total of 23 103 participants (74.4%) self-identified as resilient. Compared with White participants, Black and Hispanic participants had higher prevalence of self-reported resilience (adjusted PR [aPR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06; aPR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.11; respectively) and American Indian and East Asian participants had lower prevalence (aPR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.86-0.94; aPR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.68-0.84; respectively). Higher education, being married or living as married, higher income, and overweight were also associated with higher prevalence of resilience. Being female, having diabetes, and being unemployed were associated with lower prevalence of self-reported resilience. Compared with participants with public insurance only, participants with private insurance had higher prevalence of resilience (aPR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10). COVID-19 vaccination and infection statuses were not significantly associated with resilience. Modification analyses showed important racial and ethnic differences in how factors such as hypertension, marital status, and insurance status were associated with resilience.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cross-sectional study of 31 045 adults, self-reported resilience varied by race, ethnicity, and sociodemographic factors. These findings highlight the complex interplay of individual and social factors in shaping the perception of resilience.

Abstract Rationale: Adverse social determinants of health (SDOH) are common in COPD and associated with increased mortality. However, cause-specific mortality is understudied. We evaluated associations of neighborhood-level SDOH with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among individuals with or at-risk for COPD. Methods: SPIROMICS is an ongoing, multi-center, longitudinal observational study of individuals across the US with current or former personal smoking histories (≥20 pack-years), with or without spirometrically-defined COPD. We established geocoded neighborhood-level SDOH at baseline using 2010 census tract data, including specifically, area deprivation index (ADI) (range 0-100, 100 = most disadvantaged), poverty level (percentage of households below the poverty line), poor food access (>1/3 of residents with no access to fresh food stores within 1 mile in urban areas and 10 miles in rural areas), and food desert (low income plus poor food access). We ascertained all-cause and cause-specific mortality through 12/31/2021 using the National Death Index. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we evaluated the risk of all-cause mortality for each SDOH. We utilized competing-risk regression models to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, COPD (a subset of respiratory), and neoplastic causes of death individually with each SDOH. Models were adjusted for demographics, smoking status, pack-years, BMI categories, coronary heart disease, FEV1% predicted and study site. Effect modification by lung function was assessed using multiplicative interactions between SDOH and FEV1% predicted. Results: Among 2977 participants, mean ADI was 40.1±27.8. Within a participant's neighborhood, on average 10.4±10.4% of households were below the poverty line, 933 (31.3%) had poor food access, and 220 (7.4%) resided in a food desert. During a median follow-up of 7.8 years (IQR 5.6-9.2), 744 (25.0%) participants died, most commonly from respiratory causes including COPD. Neither ADI nor neighborhood poverty level were associated with all-cause mortality or any specific cause of death (Table). Despite lack of associations between food access and mortality (Table), individuals residing in a food desert had elevated risks of all-cause (HR: 1.36 [95%CI: 1.03-1.79]) and cardiovascular (HR: 2.62 [95%CI: 1.5-4.35]) deaths. There was no significant effect modification by lung function. Conclusions: In a large cohort of individuals with personal smoking histories, with or without COPD, living in a food desert was associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. However, neighborhood poverty level and food access, the two components of food desert, were not independently associated with mortality, suggesting the association of multimodal SDOH variables with mortality in this population.

Abstract Rationale Reliable data about the natural history of lung function decline in alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT)-deficient Pi*MZ heterozygotes is largely missing. Objectives We hypothesized that, in adults with a tobacco smoking history, lung function deteriorates faster in Pi*MZ compared with the Pi*MM genotype. Methods We identified 1,856 Pi*MM and 79 Pi*MZ participants with ⩾20 pack-years tobacco smoking history from the SPIROMICS (Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcomes Measures in COPD Study) cohort by DNA sequencing and followed them over a median of 4.8 years, comparing radiographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups over time using regression models. Results Adjusted for age, sex, race, smoking pack-year history, and smoking status, Pi*MZ participants had a lower baseline percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (65.4% vs. 75.1%; difference 95% confidence interval [CI], −15.4% to −3.9%), more radiographic emphysema (<−950 Hounsfield units%, 12.9% vs. 7.8%; difference 95% CI, 2.8% to 7.5%), and nonsignificantly lower lung density. In the longitudinal analysis, the FEV1 annual rate of decline was similar in both groups over the course of the study (−34.5 ml/yr vs. −34.6 ml/yr for Pi*MZ and Pi*MM; difference 95% CI, −16.9 to 17.1 ml/yr). There were no significant differences between Pi*MZ and Pi*MM individuals in the annualized change in lung density, emphysema, patient-reported outcomes, exacerbations, or survival. The proportion with faster FEV1 decline (annual loss ⩾40 ml) was similar in Pi*MZ and Pi*MM groups. In both groups, faster FEV1 decline was associated with more air trapping and small airway disease at baseline. In Pi*MZ only, faster decline was associated with higher blood eosinophil counts (310 vs. 220 cells/μl; difference 95% CI, 30 to 140 cells/μl). In the subgroup analysis limited to a small number of currently smoking participants, no significant differences in longitudinal outcomes were found. Conclusions Despite a lower FEV1 and more emphysema at enrollment, the longitudinal analysis did not demonstrate significantly greater lung function decline or lung density loss in Pi*MZ compared with Pi*MM participants with tobacco smoking history. Limited sample size and duration of longitudinal follow-up constrain generalizability of our findings, thus prohibiting the conclusion that longitudinal trajectories did not differ between these groups. However, our results may suggest that earlier life events could be responsible for more extensive lung disease at enrollment in Pi*MZ compared with Pi*MM tobacco-exposed individuals.

Abstract Rationale Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have airflow obstruction and maldistribution of ventilation. For those living at high altitude, any gas exchange abnormality is compounded by reduced partial pressures of inspired oxygen. Objectives Does residence at higher altitude exposure affect COPD outcomes, including lung function, imaging characteristics, symptoms, health status, functional exercise capacity, exacerbations, and mortality? Methods From the SPIROMICS (Subpopulation and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study) cohort, we identified individuals with COPD living below 1,000 ft (305 m) elevation (n = 1,367) versus above 4,000 ft (1,219 m) elevation (n = 288). Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate associations of exposure to high altitude with COPD-related outcomes. Measurements and Main Results Living at higher altitude was associated with reduced functional exercise capacity as defined by 6-minute-walk distance (−32.3 m [95% confidence interval, −49.8 to −14.8 m]). There were no differences in patient-reported outcomes as defined by symptoms (COPD Assessment Test and modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale), or health status (St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire). Higher altitude was not associated with a different rate of FEV1 decline. Higher altitude was associated with lower odds of severe exacerbations (incidence rate ratio, 0.65 [95% confidence interval, 0.46 to 0.90]). There were no differences in small airway disease, air trapping, or emphysema. In longitudinal analyses, higher altitude was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 1.25 [95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 1.55]); however, this association was no longer significant when accounting for air pollution. Conclusions Long-term altitude exposure is associated with reduced functional exercise capacity in individuals with COPD, but this did not translate into differences in symptoms or health status. In addition, long-term high-altitude exposure did not affect progression of disease as defined by longitudinal changes in spirometry. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01969344).

Importance People who smoked cigarettes may experience respiratory symptoms without spirometric airflow obstruction. These individuals are typically excluded from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) trials and lack evidence-based therapies. Objective To define the natural history of persons with tobacco exposure and preserved spirometry (TEPS) and symptoms (symptomatic TEPS). Design, Setting, and Participants SPIROMICS II was an extension of SPIROMICS I, a multicenter study of persons aged 40 to 80 years who smoked cigarettes (>20 pack-years) with or without COPD and controls without tobacco exposure or airflow obstruction. Participants were enrolled in SPIROMICS I and II from November 10, 2010, through July 31, 2015, and followed up through July 31, 2021. Exposures Participants in SPIROMICS I underwent spirometry, 6-minute walk distance testing, assessment of respiratory symptoms, and computed tomography of the chest at yearly visits for 3 to 4 years. Participants in SPIROMICS II had 1 additional in-person visit 5 to 7 years after enrollment in SPIROMICS I. Respiratory symptoms were assessed with the COPD Assessment Test (range, 0 to 40; higher scores indicate more severe symptoms). Participants with symptomatic TEPS had normal spirometry (postbronchodilator ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV 1 ] to forced vital capacity >0.70) and COPD Assessment Test scores of 10 or greater. Participants with asymptomatic TEPS had normal spirometry and COPD Assessment Test scores of less than 10. Patient-reported respiratory symptoms and exacerbations were assessed every 4 months via phone calls. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was assessment for accelerated decline in lung function (FEV 1 ) in participants with symptomatic TEPS vs asymptomatic TEPS. Secondary outcomes included development of COPD defined by spirometry, respiratory symptoms, rates of respiratory exacerbations, and progression of computed tomographic–defined airway wall thickening or emphysema. Results Of 1397 study participants, 226 had symptomatic TEPS (mean age, 60.1 [SD, 9.8] years; 134 were women [59%]) and 269 had asymptomatic TEPS (mean age, 63.1 [SD, 9.1] years; 134 were women [50%]). At a median follow-up of 5.76 years, the decline in FEV 1 was −31.3 mL/y for participants with symptomatic TEPS vs −38.8 mL/y for those with asymptomatic TEPS (between-group difference, −7.5 mL/y [95% CI, −16.6 to 1.6 mL/y]). The cumulative incidence of COPD was 33.0% among participants with symptomatic TEPS vs 31.6% among those with asymptomatic TEPS (hazard ratio, 1.05 [95% CI, 0.76 to 1.46]). Participants with symptomatic TEPS had significantly more respiratory exacerbations than those with asymptomatic TEPS (0.23 vs 0.08 exacerbations per person-year, respectively; rate ratio, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.71 to 3.31], P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance Participants with symptomatic TEPS did not have accelerated rates of decline in FEV 1 or increased incidence of COPD vs those with asymptomatic TEPS, but participants with symptomatic TEPS did experience significantly more respiratory exacerbations over a median follow-up of 5.8 years.

Abstract Study Objectives Sleep is an important dimension in the care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but its relevance to exacerbations is unclear. We wanted to assess whether sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is associated with an increased risk of COPD exacerbations and does this differ by socio-environmental exposures. Methods We included 1647 current and former smokers with spirometrically confirmed COPD from the SPIROMICS cohort. We assessed incidence rate ratios for exacerbation using zero-inflated negative binomial regression adjusting for demographics, medical comorbidities, and multiple metrics of disease severity, including respiratory medications, airflow obstruction, and symptom burden. Our final model adjusted for socio-environmental exposures using the Area Deprivation Index, a composite measure of contemporary neighborhood quality, and Adversity–Opportunity Index, a composite measure of individual-level historic and current socioeconomic indicators. We used a pre-determined threshold of 20% missingness to undertake multiple imputation by chained equations. As sensitivity analyses, we repeated models in those with complete data and after controlling for prior exacerbations. As an exploratory analysis, we considered an interaction between socio-environmental condition and sleep quality. Results After adjustment for all co-variates, increasing PSQI scores (range 0–21) were associated with a 5% increased risk for exacerbation per point (p = .001) in the imputed dataset. Sensitivity analyses using complete cases and after controlling for prior exacerbation history were similar. Exploratory analysis suggested less effect among those who lived in poor-quality neighborhoods (p-for-interaction = .035). Conclusions Poor sleep quality may contribute to future exacerbations among patients with COPD. This represents one target for improving disease control. Clinical Trial Registration Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD Study (SPIROMICS). ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier# NCT01969344. Registry URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/.