FREQUENCY OF BLOOD EOSINOPHILIA IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Blood eosinophilia is a potential biomarker for disease phenotyping and therapeutic guidance in COPD management. However, limited data exist on the prevalence of eosinophilia among newly diagnosed COPD patients in regional settings. Objective: To evaluate the frequency of blood eosinophilia in patients newly diagnosed with COPD. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Pulmonology at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat. Duration of Study: 26-09-2024 to 26-12-2024. Methods: A total of 144 patients aged 30–80 years with newly diagnosed COPD (post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC ratio <0.70) were included. Patients with comorbid asthma, bronchiectasis, or active tuberculosis were excluded. Blood eosinophilia was defined as an absolute eosinophil count >500 cells/µL. Demographic details and comorbid conditions were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Chi-square and independent t-tests were applied, with p-values ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 58.3 ± 10.5 years, with a male predominance (61.8%). Blood eosinophilia was observed in 52 (36.1%) patients. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were present in 53.5% and 45.1% of patients, respectively. No statistically significant associations were found between eosinophilia and demographic or comorbidity profiles (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Blood eosinophilia was present in approximately one-third (36.1%) of patients with newly diagnosed COPD. These findings support the relevance of eosinophil count in the initial assessment of COPD, potentially aiding in future phenotypic classification and individualized treatment strategies.