Tuberc Respir Dis.  2010 Oct;69(4):243-249. 10.4046/trd.2010.69.4.243.

Risk Factors Associated with Frequent Hospital Readmissions for Exacerbation of COPD

• Kim MH
• Lee K
• Kim KU
• Park HK
• Jeon DS
• Kim YS
• Lee MK
• Park SK

• KMID: 2114617
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2010.69.4.243

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with recurrent hospital admissions for exacerbation of COPD in Korea.
METHODS
A retrospective study of 77 consecutive patients hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD at Pusan National University Hospital during the time period January 2005 to May 2008 was performed. The information was collected from the hospitalization period: clinical information, spirometric measures, and laboratory variables. In addition, socioeconomic characteristics, co-morbidity, anxiety, and depression were reviewed. Frequent readmission was defined as 2 or more hospitalizations in the year following discharge.
RESULTS
During the 1-year period after discharge, 42 patients (54.6%) reported one hospital admission and 35 patients (45.4%) reported 2 or more hospital readmissions. Among the 35 frequent readmission patients, 4 had more than 10 readmissions. Univariate analysis showed that a body mass index (BMI) <18.5 kg/m2, duration >36 months, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <50% predicted, arterial CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) >40 mm Hg, and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) <95% at discharge were associated significantly with frequent readmissions. The multivariate analysis revealed that BMI <18.5 kg/m2, PaCO2 >40 mm Hg at discharge were independently associated with frequent readmissions for exacerbation of COPD.
CONCLUSION
Frequent readmissions for exacerbation of COPD were associated with low BMI and hypercapnia at discharge.

Keyword

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Exacerbation; Patient Readmission; Body Mass Index; Hypercapnia

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Body Mass Index
Cinnarizine
Depression
Forced Expiratory Volume
Hospitalization
Humans
Hypercapnia
Multivariate Analysis
Oxygen
Partial Pressure
Patient Readmission
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Cinnarizine
Oxygen

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