Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Red Blood Cell and Platelet Indices for Predicting Outcomes in Acute Exacerbations of COPD

50 participantsStarted 2026-08

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate if standard, easily accessible blood tests can help doctors predict the severity and outcomes of sudden flare-ups in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). When a patient's COPD suddenly worsens, an event called an acute exacerbation, it can lead to serious health complications, breathing difficulties, and hospitalization. Currently, doctors need simple and cost-effective ways to figure out early on which patients are at the highest risk for severe complications. This observational study will focus on specific components of a routine Complete Blood Count (CBC) test. Researchers will look at the size, volume, and variation of red blood cells (such as Red Cell Distribution Width, or RDW) and platelets. Both red blood cells and platelets are known to be affected by the body's systemic inflammatory response during a severe COPD flare-up. Participants will include adults over 18 years old who are admitted to the hospital for an acute exacerbation of COPD. As part of the study, researchers will collect and analyze routine clinical data, including: * Medical history and physical examination findings (including dyspnea severity). * Standard laboratory blood tests (evaluating red blood cells, platelets, kidney and liver function, and inflammation markers). * Arterial blood gas levels. * Pulmonary function tests (breathing tests to measure lung capacity). * High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scans. By analyzing this information, the study aims to determine if red blood cell and platelet indices can accurately predict important clinical outcomes. These outcomes include the need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, the need for a mechanical ventilator (breathing machine), the total length of the hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality. Identifying reliable biomarkers could help healthcare providers make faster, more targeted treatment decisions for COPD patients.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients above 18 years admitted to the department with AECOPD defined as an event characterized by increased dyspnea and/or cough and sputum that worsens in ≤14 days. Exclusion Criteria: * Primary reason for admission other than AECOPD. * The patient has a diagnosis of connective tissue disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, or hematological system diseases (such as malignancy, thalassemia, hemolytic anemia).

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Dyspnea Severity Score

Timeframe: Baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07693127

SponsorAssiut University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2027-08

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease trials