TY - JOUR T1 - Profile of patients hospitalized with COPD acute exacerbation in respiratory department in Tunisia JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p572 AU - Hela Kamoun AU - Ines Zendah AU - Ibtihel Khouaja AU - Samar Sakka AU - Amel Khattab AU - Leila Bayahi AU - Habib Ghedira Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p572.abstract N2 - In developing countries, Respiratory departments are facing new challenges with the huge increase in the number of patients hospitalized with COPD acute exacerbations with limits in ICU beds availability and delay in the management. The aim of this study is to outline the profile of patients with COPD exacerbation hospitalized in a respiratory department in Tunisia.Methods: One hundred and one files of male patients, randomly selected among whom hospitalized in a Respiratory male department in Tunis (Tunisia) during the last 20 years for acute COPD exacerbation, are analyzed.Results: The patients, aged 65 years-old [IC95%: 63-67], are heavy smokers with cigarette consumption of 57 PxA [IC95%: 51-64] and 50% have comobidities and 15% have a history of myocardial ischemia. Two periods of increased hospitalization are observed: December-January and March-April.Acute respiratory failure with a PaO2<60mmHg is observed in 90% of these patients and Hypercarbia in 15%. Pneumonia is diagnosed in 30% of these patients and bacteria is revealed in 12% mainly Haemophilus Influenzae (9%). Oxygenotherapy is required in 75% of patients and Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) in 25%, used during the last 5 years. Two patients died during hospitalization and the duration of hospital stay is 17 days [IC95%: 14-19].Conclusion: High prevalence of acute respiratory failure and Hypercarbia is observed in patients hospitalized with COPD acute exacerbations in respiratory departments in Tunisia with a long duration of hospital stay. ER -