Absolute Eosinophil Count as a Clinical Marker for COPD Assesment

Atta Ur Rehman; Muhammad Imran; Muhammad Arif Sadiq; Muhammad Wasiullah Khan; Attia Khaliq; Bilal Rasheed

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-5.11578

Authors

Atta Ur Rehman Department of General Medicine, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Muhammad Imran Department of Pulmonology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Muhammad Arif Sadiq Department of Haematology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Muhammad Wasiullah Khan Department of Pharmacolog, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Attia Khaliq Department of General Medicine, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan
Bilal Rasheed Department of General Medicine, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-5.11578

Keywords:

Absolute eosinophil count, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Clinical Marker

Abstract

Objective: To determine the predictive value of absolute eosinophil count as a clinical biomarker for acute exacerbations in COPD patients and their clinical outcomes.

Study design: Prospective Observational Study

Place and duration of Study: Pakistan Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan from May to Dec 2023.

Methodology: A total of 300 COPD patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. After detailed history and examination and assessment of severity of COPD, a 5ml blood venous blood was drawn and sent for CBC and absolute eosinophil count. The patients were divided into Group A and B based on absolute eosinophil count of less or more than 300/ul. They were admitted to indoor patient department depending upon severity of the disease into high dependency unit or pulmonology ward. The patients were followed up till discharge from the hospital or death in the hospital.

Results: Out of total 300 patients, 122(40.7%) were categorized into Group A and 178(59.3%) were categorized into Group B based on absolute eosinophil count of less or more than 300/ul respectively. Group B patients were found to have statistically significant (p<0.05) more exacerbation of COPD, disease severity, admission into HDU and mortality in comparison to Group A patients.

Conclusion: Absolute eosinophil count can be used as biomarker to predict acute exacerbations and outcome in COPD patients. Patients with absolute eosinophil count of >300/ul were found to be having more severe disease, acute exacerbation, admissions to HDU, mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality.

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