[Hospitalizations due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the elderly]

Hospitalizations for decompensation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mainly occur in the elderly. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of octogenarians admitted for COPD and to compare these characteristics with those in a younger group.

All patients hospitalized for COPD in an acute care hospital over three time periods were studied. All patients met spirometric criteria for COPD. A questionnaire evaluating items on prior admissions, days of hospital stay and readmissions in the subsequent year was completed. Data on comorbidity (the Charlson index), functional dependency (Katz index), depression (Yesavage scale), domiciliary medication, socioeconomic position, social resources, and quality of life, among other factors, were gathered.

We studied 390 patients, with a mean age of 72 years (SD 9.6), of whom 88 (22%) were aged more than 80 years old. The mean length of hospital stay was 11.4 days, FEV(1) at discharge was 39% of the theoretical value, and 55% of the patients were readmitted in the following year, with no differences between age groups. Patients older than 80 years had a lower body mass index (P<.03), greater comorbidity (P<.001), greater functional dependency (P<.001) and worse scores on the Pffeifer (P<.001) and Yesavage scales (P<.01).

Octogenarians hospitalized for COPD exacerbations have greater comorbidity, depressive features and functional dependency than younger patients. Nevertheless, no differences were found in the length of hospital stay or in readmissions in the following year.