Fig. (3).

Benefit–risk ratio of ICS in patients with COPD based on blood eosinophil level in stable disease. With increasing eosinophils counts, the use of ICS may offer increased benefit by reducing COPD exacerbations (Area III). Conversely, ICS use in patients with lower eosinophils counts is potentially associated with decreased benefit and increased risk of pneumonia (Area I). Adapted from [95] with the publisher’s permission.