COPD exacerbations linked to quality of life, history of pneumonia
Published 4 Jul 2016
In patients with mild-to-moderate COPD, exacerbation is associated with the patient's quality of life, previous exacerbation history, and history of pneumonia, according to research published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder.
Joo Kyung Kim, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, South Korea, and colleagues conducted a study of 570 patients with mild-to-moderate COPD from 37 referral hospitals in Korea. Patients' clinical data were obtained, including demographics, medical history, and preexisting comorbidities, and participants were required to document their COPD status every 6 months via a self-administered questionnaire.
During the first year of follow-up, 30.5% of patients experienced acute COPD exacerbation. Factors associated with exacerbation included COPD assessment test scores, modified Medical Research Council dyspnea assessment test scores, previous exacerbation history, and histories of pneumonia and allergic rhinitis.
“Our results suggest that COPD exacerbation in patients with mild-to-moderate airflow limitation is associated with the patient's quality of life, previous history of exacerbation, and history of pneumonia,” said Dr Kim. “COPD exacerbation negatively impacts the patient's lung function, increases mortality, and increases socioeconomic costs. Therefore, it is important to evaluate COPD exacerbation in patients with mild-to-moderate airflow limitations.”
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