Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third driving reason for death
around the world and a real number of patients suffers from disease exacerbation. Platelet lymphocyte
ratio (PLR) and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are novel biomarkers in acute exacerbation of COPD
(AECOPD) and related to expanded 90-day mortality in patients with COPD.
Objectives: This work aimed to assess NLR and PLR in COPD patients.
Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 100 COPD patients and 60 healthy subjects.
Complete blood count (CBC) with differential was made during and after exacerbation to define NLR
and PLR.
Results: The cases and controls groups were matched as regards age, sex, and body mass index (BMI)
(P-values: 0.3, 0.2, and 0.06 respectively). NLR and PLR were increased significantly in COPD patients
(2.24 ± 0.56 and 157.1 ± 28.36) compared to control group (1.31 ± 0.23 and 102.82 ± 3.99)
(P-value < 0.0001). During exacerbation NLR and PLR were elevated significantly compared to stable
condition (P-value < 0.0001). NLR and PLR show a significant positive correlation with smoking index,
COPD stage, and dyspnea severity.
Conclusion: NLR and PLR increased in stable COPD patients and further increased during exacerbation
that can predict in hospital mortality.