A STUDY OF MARKERS OF ALLERGY AMONG PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Authors

  • S.N.H. Bokhari
  • M.H. Zafar

Abstract

23 patients with established Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), age range 25-85 years, were randomly selected; this included 16 smokers and 7 ex-smokers. Another 23 patientswho were non-smoker and non-COPD were selected as control group.Mean total leucocyte count (TLC) in smokers was 10.26 x 109/L, in ex-smokers 8.57, and incontrol group 8.06 and mean eosinophil count was 0.14, 0.12, 0.02 respectively. The percentage ofprevalence of history of allergy in smokers was 25, cx- smokers 28.5 and control 13, and positiveskin prick test was 56.3, 14.3 and 13 respectively.Among COPD prevalence of allergy to house-dust (39%), feathers (30.4%), straw dust(21.7%), cow-hair (21.7%), sheep wool (21.7) and tree pollens (21.7%) was relatively higher thanother allergens.Eosinophil count and prevalence of skin allergic test is higher in patients with ChronicObstructive Pulmonary Disease, who are active smokers as compared to ex-smokers. This is notrelated to the presence of history of allergy.

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