using sqlite Count() in laravel

Im trying to use the count() function to get the count of rows with the same user_id, then display it onto a page. Is it possible to query the database using SELECT * from comments; and then use Count($user_id) in the laravel forelse loop?

What i have so far:

This function queries the database

function commentCount($id)
{
    $sql = "Select count(*) FROM comment WHERE user_Id = ?";
    $results = DB::select($sql, array($id));  

    return $results;
}

The route that calls the function:

Route::get('home', function()
{
    $id = Input::get('id');
    $results = getPosts();
    $commentcount = commentCount($id);

    return View::make('Social.home')->withPosts($results)->withCounts($commentcount);
});

code that uses the function, which is surrounded by a for else

<a href ="{{{ url("comments_post/$comment->Id") }}}"><button id="" type="button" class="btn btn-default">Comments:{{{$post->Id}}}</button></a>