Hematological Profiles of Nigerian Patients with Asthma on Inhaled Corticosteroids

Abstract

Background: Bronchial asthma is a disease characterized by aberrant leukocyte trafficking and allergic inflammation. This study investigated the distribution of the various leukocyte subsets and some erythropoietic indices in asthma patients on inhaled corticosteroids.
Methodology: This is a comparative cross‒sectional study involving 108 adult asthmatic patients on inhaled corticosteroids and 108 healthy adults. Socio‒demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Four milliliters of blood sample was collected from each study participant for hematological analysis. Full blood count and differential leukocyte count were done using an automated hematology analyzer. The mean and standard deviation of the measured parameters were calculated and inter-group comparison was made. The significance level was set at p‒value ≤ 0.05.
Result: The absolute and relative counts of neutrophils, eosinophil and, basophil were significantly elevated in asthmatic patients compared to control group. On the other hand, relative and absolute counts of monocytes and lymphocytes were significantly lower in asthmatic patients compared to the normal healthy control. The packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were significantly low in asthmatic patients compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Asthma patients on corticosteroids have altered hematological parameters compared to apparently healthy controls