Study of Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) in COPD Patients Admitted in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory disorder marked by persistent airflow restriction and chronic inflammation. Acute exacerbations of COPD, defined as a sudden worsening of respiratory symptoms, dramatically increase morbidity and death among patients. Identifying biomarkers that predict exacerbations and guide treatment is critical to improving patient outcomes1,2. Result: The study included 64 male patients (64%) and 36 female patients (36%). Historically, COPD has been more prevalent in males, primarily due to higher smoking rates and occupational exposure to environmental pollutants. AEC levels of ≥300 cells/µL were seen in 30% of cases, indicating a higher possibility of benefit from ICS. Patients with low AEC (<100 cells/µL) may not benefit from ICS therapy, emphasizing the need of biomarker-based treatment decisions. Discussion: The majority of COPD patients (78%) in this study were smokers, reinforcing the strong link between tobacco use and COPD development. However, 22% were non-smokers, indicating that other environmental and genetic factors contribute to disease onset.