DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i02.048

Pages: 557-564

According to GOLD guidelines 2013, COPD is the 4th leading cause of death. Dyspnea is an important and debilitating symptom for which most patients with COPD seek medical attention. The aim of the present study is to compare the eosinophils in sputum of patients with asthma and COPD. The presence of eosinophilia has been considered typical asthmatic inflammation whereas neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes are the most significant inflammatory cells found in the airways of patients with COPD. Thirty patients presenting with airway disorders were prospectively studied in the year of 2012 to 2014. They were evaluated with spirometry and sputum for eosinophils count. Out of the thirty patients 20 were COPD and 10 patients were found to be asthma. In the bronchial asthma group 9 out of 10 have (90%) had elevated sputum eosinophils (>3%) and one patient have not elevated eosinophils levels (10%) mean level in exacerbation of asthma (13.2%), in asthma group during remission 8 patients have elevated sputum eosinophils levels, 2 patients did not have. Mean level is (3.8%). In the COPD group out of 20 patients, 18 patients had elevated sputum eosinophils and two patients have not eosinophils mean level in COPD – (9.8%) exacerbation. In COPD (remission) group 3 patients have sputum eosinophils levels, 17 patients did not have. Mean level is (1.5%).There was no difference in the occurrence of sputum eosinophils levels during exacerbation in asthma than COPD. But mean level of eosinophils were more in asthma than COPD. During remission sputum eosinophils levels was more common in asthma than COPD.