Source: Annual Congress 2010 - COPD: treatment and monitoring
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

Introduction
COPD exacerbations accelerate lung function decline, reduce health-related quality of life and increase the risk of future hospitalisations and death. Hospitalisation of COPD patients due to an exacerbation is a major driver of healthcare costs.
Aim
The aim of the study was to examine the possible relationship between the length of hospital stay due to a COPD exacerbation and epidemiological or clinical parameters of the patients.
Patients
We evaluated 80 patients (55 men and 25 women) who were admitted to our department between September 2008 – December 2009 due to a COPD exacerbation.
Results
The mean duration of hospitalization was 11,2±5,8 days.
The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the patients are shown in the table below.

Table 1

	Mean ± (SD)
Age	69,82 ± 9,67
Pack/years	61,74 ± 28,56
BMI (Body Mass Index)	30,97 ± 6,80
Dyspea (MRC scale)	3,12 ± 1. 12
PO2 (FiO2 21%) on admission	55,12 ± 8,44
PCO2 (FiO2 21%) on admission	48, 43 ± 16,22
FVC	53,67 ± 20,54
FEV1	43,78 ± 20,54
FEV1/FVC	58,43 ± 11,49

A positive correlation was detected between PCO₂ and hospitalisation days (r=0,331, p=0,012).
Conclusions
Increased PCO₂ levels on admission during COPD exacerbations are related to longer hospital stay. This might be explained by the longer time needed to restore respiratory muscle fatigue, usually associated with such arterial blood gas derangements.

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Citations should be made in the following way:
S. Nikolakopoulou, G. Hillas, D. Veldekis, P. Bakakos (Athens, Greece). Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Correlation of hospitalization days with epidemiological and clinical parameters. Eur Respir J 2010; 36: Suppl. 54, 1328

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