Abstract:Objective To investigate the difference in platelets between COPD patients and healthy individuals. Methods Totally 122 patients admitted to the hospital with COPD were involved as COPD group in this study. Subjects diagnosed with blood diseases, tumor, pulmonary thromboembolism and other related diseases were excluded. Totally 122 healthy subjects matched with gender, age, and nationality were selected as control group. Clinical data and laboratory results were collected. Results Patients in COPD group experienced decreased levels of platelet and ratio of platelet over neutrophils when compared with control group [(193.85 ± 66.68) × 109/L vs (210.45 ± 37.38) × 109/L, (48.97 ± 25.15) vs (60.96 ± 16.79), P < 0.05]. Mean platelet volume, ratio of platelet over lymphocyte, neutrophil and white blood cell count group were upregulated while platelet volume distribution width,lymphocyte and red blood cell countwere down-regulated in COPD group compared with those in control group (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in platelet specific volume and eosinophil count between two groups (P > 0.05). No obvious correlation was identified either between platelet count and severity of airflow limitation, ratio of platelet over neutrophil and severity of airflow limitation, or ratio of platelet over lymphocyte and severity of airflow limitation [(rs = -0.070, P = 0.444), (rs = -0.104, P = 0.252), (rs = 0.132, P = 0.147), respectively]. Eosinophil count was negatively correlated with severity of airflow limitation (rs = -0.267, P = 0.003). Conclusions Platelet count and ratio of platelet over neutrophil are decreased in COPD patients, though none of which are related to the severity of CODP.