Association of Mucus Plugging and Body Mass Index in Patients With Advanced COPD GOLD 3/4 With Emphysema

BACKGROUND: COPD is classified by its clinical phenotypes-chronic bronchitis and emphysema. A CT-based mucus plug score (MPS) was recently identified as a biomarker to subgroup COPD patients with increased airway mucus plugs. While not necessarily linked to more pronounced symptoms or structural lung changes, mucus plugs are associated with increased mortality. Interestingly, a higher MPS seems to be associated with a lower body mass index (BMI), likewise associated with increased mortality. This study aims to characterize patients with advanced lung emphysema presenting for lung volume reduction therapy with a special focus on mucus plug occurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective, monocentric study assessed MPS in advanced COPD (GOLD III/IV) and emphysema patients evaluated for lung volume reduction therapy at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. CT scans were analyzed for mucus plugging, and clinical data were obtained from the Lung Emphysema Registry (www.lungenemphysemregister.de). RESULTS: A total of 127 CT scans were assessed for MPS. About 50% had no mucus plugs (score = 0), 25% had an intermediate burden (score 1-2), and 25% had a high burden (score

• Saccomanno, J.
• Elgeti, T.
• Spiegel, S.
• Pappe, E.
• Sgarbossa, T.
• Petersen, A.
• Neumann, K.
• Mall, M. A.
• Witzenrath, M.
• Hübner, R. H.