THE CORRELATION OF ABSOLUTE EOSINOPHIL COUNT IN STABLE COPD FILIPINO PATIENTS

Abstract

SESSION TITLE: Obstructive Lung Diseases 3 SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/10/2018 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM PURPOSE: The study intended to identify the correlation of absolute eosinophil count with the severity of COPD and degree of exacerbation in stable COPD patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cross sectional study conducted at Philippine Heart Center. All patients >40 years old clinically diagnosed with COPD through spirometry done within six months were included. Demographic characteristics and absolute eosinophil count was recorded. Quantitative variables were summarized as mean and standard deviation, while qualitative variables were tabulated as frequency and percentage. Correlation between eosinophil level and degree of COPD was graphically presented in a scatterplot and analyzed using Pearson’s product – Correlation. RESULTS: We analysed 102 stable COPD patients. There were 59(57.84%) eosinophilic COPD and 43(42.16%) non-eosinophilic COPD patients. The mean age was 69 years old, mostly males, 81.37% (83/102). The mean ages of both groups were 65.74±8.9 and 62.11±9.20 on COPD eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic patients respectively, p=0.05. Both study groups have more male subjects, 52(88.14%) and 31(72%); however, there were more females in the non-eosinophilic compared to the eosinophilic group 12(27.9%) vs 7(11.6%), p=0.04. A high pack years smoked was reported in the eosinophilic group compared to the non-eosinophilic group (54.9±22.0 vs 43.47±17.90 correspondingly, p=0.007). Correlation between absolute eosinophil value and the degree of COPD was weak (r= 0.3467), but statistically significant with p=0.0004. CONCLUSIONS: Absolute eosinophil levels above ≥0.40×109/L showed the possibility of increased risk for exacerbation in stable COPD patients. This study was able to ascertain that as the degree of COPD elevates, the levels of the eosinophil count is also increased. However, there was no established relationship between severity of airflow limitation and the level of eosinophil count. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study identified that there is a correlation of absolute eosinophil count with the severity of COPD and degree of exacerbation in stable COPD patients and through this study we can determine if absolute eosinophil count can help guide the management of COPD patients. DISCLOSURES: no disclosure on file for Aileen Banzon; no disclosure on file for Ma. Encarnita Blanco-Limpin; No relevant relationships by May Joy Canillas, source=Web Response