PLATELET ACTIVATION IN STABLE CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Sunil A Kumar, Harish Sugathan*, Rakul Nambiar K., Ravikumar Kurup A. and Anjali Srikumar

ABSTRACT

Background: Several studies in COPD have shown an increase in platelet activity during acute exacerbation. However, platelet activity in stable COPD has been analyzed only in few studies. This study was undertaken to analyze the role of platelet activity in stable COPD patients. Materials and methods: We conducted a case-control study in a tertiary care, university-affiliated hospital. COPD patients and controls were matched for sex and age in a 1:1 matching ratio. We included only those patients who had quit smoking. Platelet parameters and pulmonary function tests were performed in both the groups. Results: Among the platelet indices, platelet to lymphocyte ratio (p-0.005) and mean platelet volume (p<0.001) were significantly higher in COPD cohort. Platelet distribution width showed statistically significant association with severity of COPD (p-0.003). Severity of COPD was negatively correlated with platelet to lymphocyte ratio (p - 0.002, r = -0.442) and platelet count (p - 0.039, r = -.299). Platelet to lymphocyte ratio was found to have positive correlation with platelet count (p < 0.001, r = 0.727). Conclusion: Our results suggest the presence of ongoing inflammation in stable COPD patients and hence, newer drugs which decrease the level of inflammatory markers may revolutionize COPD treatment. In addition, platelet indices may be useful for evaluating disease severity during stable phase.

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