Journal Article

Identification and validation of distinct biological phenotypes in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome by cluster analysis

Juffermans, N, Calfee, C S, Schouten, L R, van der Poll, T, Bos, L D, Schultz, M J, van Vught, L A, Wiewel, M A, Horn, J, Ong, D S Y, Hoogendijk, A J, Artigas, A, Cremer, O, Martin-Loeches, I

2017

Overview

RationaleWe hypothesised that patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be clustered based on concentrations of plasma biomarkers and that the thereby identified biological phenotypes are associated with mortality.MethodsConsecutive patients with ARDS were included in this prospective observational cohort study. Cluster analysis of 20 biomarkers of inflammation, coagulation and endothelial activation provided the phenotypes in a training cohort, not taking any outcome data into account. Logistic regression with backward selection was used to select the most predictive biomarkers, and these predicted phenotypes were validated in a separate cohort. Multivariable logistic regression was used to quantify the independent association with mortality.ResultsTwo phenotypes were identified in 454 patients, which we named ‘uninflamed’ (N=218) and ‘reactive’ (N=236). A selection of four biomarkers (interleukin-6, interferon gamma, angiopoietin 1/2 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) could be used to accurately predict the phenotype in the training cohort (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve: 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99). Mortality rates were 15.6% and 36.4% (p<0.001) in the training cohort and 13.6% and 37.5% (p<0.001) in the validation cohort (N=207). The ‘reactive phenotype’ was independent from confounders associated with intensive care unit mortality (training cohort: OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.23; validation cohort: OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.31).ConclusionsPatients with ARDS can be clustered into two biological phenotypes, with different mortality rates. Four biomarkers can be used to predict the phenotype with high accuracy. The phenotypes were very similar to those found in cohorts derived from randomised controlled trials, and these results may improve patient selection for future clinical trials targeting host response in patients with ARDS.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Aged / Angiopoietin-1 - blood / Angiopoietin-2 - blood / Biomarkers - blood / Cluster Analysis / Female / Humans / Intensive care / Intensive Care Units / Interferon-gamma - blood / Interleukin-6 - blood / Male / Middle Aged / Mortality / Phenotype / Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 - blood / Predictive Value of Tests / Prospective Studies / Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult - blood / Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult - mortality / Respiratory therapy