Inflammatory markers in patients with asthma in a tertiary hospital in Uganda

Introduction: Patients with asthma are known with increased hospital visits and sudden deaths. Aim. The study was done to evaluate the changes in hematological parameters and inflammatory markers of patients with asthma in KIU-TH, Ishaka, Uganda. Methods: A total of 150 subjects were selected for the study comprising of 75 patients with asthma and 75 apparently healthy individuals from Ishaka, Bushenyi District attending KIU-TH. Results: The results showed increase in total white blood cell count (P=0.000), Neutrophil (P=0.000) and no significant difference in Lymphocytes (P=0.406) of patients with asthma compared to apparently healthy individuals respectively. The results showed increase in hemoglobin (P=0.004), red blood cells (P=0.015), Packed Cell Volume (P=0.009), Mean Cell Volume (P=0.000), Red Cell Distribution Width (P=0.004) and decrease in MCHC (P=0.004) of patients with asthma compared to apparently healthy individuals respectively. The results showed increase in NLR (P=0.039), PDW (P=0.010), PCT (P=0.002), decrease in platelets (P=0.021), MPV (P=0.031) and no significant difference in PLR (P=0.066) in patients with asthma compared with the apparently healthy individuals respectively. Conclusions: The study revealed increase in total white cell count (WBC), neutrophils and reduced levels of cell lines. It shows serious immunological alterations in the patients with asthma. The inflammatory markers as NLR and PLR were increased which showed increased inflammation in the patients with asthma. These indicators could be used to predict the severity of the disease and as well in improvement as regards prognosis of the patients.