Increased Risk of Death at and During Hospitalization for an Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Clinical Factors Associated with an Increased Risk of Death at and During Hospitalization for an Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and for a Short Period after Discharge

Ernesto Crisafulli, Veronica Alfieri, Antoni Torres, Alfredo Chetta

ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is an unfavourable event interrupting the stable phase of disease and that in some cases require admission to hospital; this aspect may influence the general prognosis during hospitalization and for a short period after discharge. In this editorial, we have highlighted some aspects related to the close link between AECOPD and all-cause mortality; we report several clinical factors that may be defined as risk factors for mortality at admission, during hospitalization and for a short period after discharge. These predictors of death in AECOPD may help physicians to accurately predict prognosis and therefore, behave differently in the clinical management of COPD patients.

Crisafulli E, Alfieri V, Torres A, Chetta A. Clinical Factors Associated with an Increased Risk of Death at and During Hospitalization for an Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and for a Short Period after Discharge. Journal of Respiratory Research 2016; 2(2): 44-46 Available from: URL: http://www.ghrnet.org/index.php/jrr/article/view/1643