Abstract

Objectives: Describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to assess the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) in these patients.

Methods: 35 patients diagnosed with acute exacerbation of COPD treated at the Department of Endocrinology - Pulmonology, Hue Central Hospital and the Department of Internal Medicine - Endocrinology - Rheumatology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital and 32 stable COPD patients followed up at the Internal Medicine Clinic, Hue University Hospital from July 2024 to July 2025.

Results: The counts of white blood cells and neutrophils in the acute exacerbation group was statistically significantly higher than that in the stable group (p < 0.05). The number of platelets and lymphocytes of the acute exacerbation group and the stable group did not have any significant difference (p > 0.05). The median PLR was statistically significantly higher in the AECOPD group compared to the stable group (123 and 108.94, p < 0.05). The PLR ratio demonstrated a predictive value for acute exacerbation, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.649 (95% CI 0.511–0.788, p < 0.05). With a cut-off point of 187.67, the sensitivity is 40% and the specificity is 97%.

Conclusion: The PLR ​​ratio in the group of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD is statistically significantly higher than that of the stable group. The PLR ​​ratio is a simple, inexpensive ratio available in most medical facilities and can predict acute exacerbation of COPD.