Correlation between clinical severity and eosinophillic count in asthmatic patients

ABSTRACT

To determine the correlation between the blood eosinophil count and the severity of symptoms in asthmatic patients. Prospective observational study. This study was carried out in Dow General Hospital, Dow University of Heath Sciences from l[st] January 201 1 to 31[st] December 2011. Asthmatic patients who were admitted in Dow General Hospital, Dow University of Heath Sciences, and those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Physical examination was carried out and the severity of the symptoms was gauged by using Peak Expiratory flow meter and absolute eosinophil count. The data thus collected was analyzed using SPSS Version 15. Among 56 patients who were enrolled in the study 29[51.8%] were male and 27[48.2%] were female. Ages were between 13 and 70 years. The absolute eosinophil count ranged between 70/mm[3] and 1400/mm[3]. Based on the definition of asthma severity, 20 patients [35.7%] had mild asthma, 17[30.4%] had moderate and 19[33.9%] patients had severe asthma. Statistical analysis showed that no relationship exist between blood eosinophil count and the severity of asthma, [p < 0.003]