Moreover, according to them, fetuin-A may represent a potential biomarker for the prediction and evaluation of exacerbations in patients with COPD because it is markedly reduced at the onset of an ECOPD compared to baseline, and patients with low fetuin-A values had a two-fold risk for a COPD exacerbation during the one-year follow-up period. The gene discussed is AHSG; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.