According to a study in BMC Pulmonary Medicine, a low number of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) was associated with poor prognosis in elderly patients with severe COPD.
Study results indicated 3-year mortality rates (from any cause) of 68% for patients with a relative lymphocyte count ?20% and 51% for patients with a relative lymphocyte count >20% (P =.0012).
Patients with low relative lymphocyte counts had significantly lower lung function indices and a greater prevalence of congestive heart failure, diabetes, and chronic cor pulmonale. Mortality in patients with relative lymphocyte counts ?20% was also higher in the survival curve analysis.
