Length of stay and outcome of hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, differences between general medical ward and intensive care unit: A cohort study

Background: Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (ECOPD) are a major problem worldwide and usually a leading cause for hospitalizations and in some cases, indication for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the length of stay in hospital and outcome of ECOPD patients. We compared the length of hospital stay in the medical ward, intensive care unit (ICU) departments and discharges during a period of six months. Methods: This was an observational, longitudinal prospective study of 242 COPD patients that were admitted with COPD exacerbation. In each patient, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and serial arterial blood gases (ABG) were measured upon and during admission. Results: Eighty per cent (194) of 242 COPD patients were admitted to the medical department and most of them were discharged within five days. Forty-eight needed IMV and stayed in hospital more than ten days; overall mortality rate was about 5%. Conclusion: Most of the hospitalized patients with COPD exacerbation (60%) were discharged within five days, 20% needed IMV and stayed in hospital more than ten days.