Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the fourth leading cause of death world wise. The clinical course of the disease is marked by exacerbations. In 10-40% of COPD cases eosinophilic airway inflammation have been reported during both stable disease and exacerbations. The clinical characteristics of individuals with COPD and high levels of blood eosinophils are likewise largely unknown. The aims of the study was to assess correlation of blood eosinophils as a predictor of exacerbations of COPD patients.
Methods: This was a hospital based prospective observational study. A total number of 153 COPD patients were included in the study. The diagnosis of COPD was based on symptoms and was confirmed by spirometry.
Results: Out of the total (153) COPD patients included in our study , (92 )60.13% were males and ( 61)39.87% were females. Among these patients, (98)64.05% patients had exacerbation, out of which,(68)69.38% patients were male and (30)30.61% patient were female. In this study it was shown that mean blood eosinophil count and absolute eosinophil count in 68 male COPD exacerbation was 3.22±1.16 and 0.32±0.13 respectievely and in 30 female patients with COPD exacerbation, it was 3.47±1.01 and 0.33±0.11respectievely. Blood eosinophil > 2% was in 43.80% male patients and 17.0% female patients respectievely with exacerbation and 3.92% male patients and 5.88% female patients respectievely without exacerbation. The p value was 0.0191, which was significant.
Conclusion: In this study it was found that exacerbation rates increased progressively with increasing eosinophil counts in percentage of leukocytes starting at 2%.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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