Descriptive analysis of patients admitted due to COPD exacerbation (COPDE) and COPD-pneumonia

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumonia is a common comorbility in COPD patients. The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics of patients admitted due to COPDE and COPD-pneumonia and to analyze the differences in immediate mortality.

Methods: Patients admitted between 2013-2016 were studied. Lung function, tobacco, Charslon index, respiratory failure and treatment with inhaled steroids (CIs) were analyzed. Mortality was analyzed during admission and at 30 days in each group.

Results: Valid data were recruited in 216 patients, 183 men and 33 women, with a mean age of 73±10. The majority were ex-smokers(63%) or smokers(35%) with a mean pack-year index of 65. 26% were admitted for pneumonia and 72% for COPDE, with a mean age of 74 and 72 respectively. The Charlson index was 2.5 and 2.6. FEV1 was 41% in COPD-Pneumonia and 47% in COPDE. 62% took inhaled steroids: 54% of COPD-pneumonia group and 65% of COPDE. The mean dose of budesonide was 546mcg and 668 mcg respectively. No differences were found. Neither when analyzing the need for oxygen therapy or NIMV. During admission, 11 (5%) patients died, 7 from COPDE group and 4 from COPD-pneumonia one, without differences in age between them, but between the mean global age in those died during admission (80 years), and in those not deceased (72.6) (p <0.01). After 30 days, 14 patients (6.5%) died, 10 in the COPDE group and 4 in the COPD-pneumonia one. Deaths due to COPDE were older: 81 and 75 years respectively (p <0.01). No association was found between mortality and the other variables analyzed.

Conclusion: There were no differences in the characteristics analyzed between the two groups. Mortality 30 days after admission was higher in the COPDE group.