Prognostic Significance of Absolute Neutrophil and Eosinophil Counts in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Kolonel Abundjani Bangko General Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic and progressive respiratory condition characterized by persistent airflow obstruction. The disease trajectory is often punctuated by episodes of acute exacerbation, which significantly aggravate clinical status and increase healthcare burden. A central pathophysiological feature of acute exacerbations is the activation of inflammatory pathways, manifested by elevated circulating inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils and eosinophils, potentially contributing to deterioration in clinical outcomes.

Method: This study was conducted using a retrospective descriptive observational design. The study included all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) who fulfilled the established inclusion criteria at Kolonel Abundjani Bangko General Hospital during April to December 2024. Clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from hospital medical records and subsequently analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

Result: Thirty-eight patients fulfilled the predefined inclusion criteria and were subsequently enrolled in the analysis. The study population was predominantly male (36 patients, 94.7%), and the majority were older than 55 years (34 patients, 89.5%). A substantial proportion of participants had a documented smoking history (35 patients, 92.1%). Most admissions were relatively short, with 26 patients (68.4%) hospitalized for 1–4 days. Survival at discharge was observed in 36 patients (94.7%). Inferential statistical testing demonstrated no statistically significant relationship between neutrophil or eosinophil counts and clinical prognosis in patients experiencing acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: In this study population, neither neutrophil nor eosinophil counts demonstrated a statistically significant association with prognostic indicators, among patients admitted with acute COPD. Despite the absence of statistical significance, elevated neutrophil levels (>8) were consistently more prevalent across prognostic strata compared with increased eosinophil counts. This distribution pattern suggests a relative predominance of neutrophil-mediated inflammatory activity during acute exacerbations.