Computerized analysis of respiratory sounds during COPD exacerbations

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a major event in the natural course of the disease, and is associated with significant mortality and socioeconomic impact. Abnormal respiratory sounds are commonly present in patients with AECOPD. Computerized analysis of these sounds can assist in diagnosis and in evaluation during follow-up. Exploratory data analysis methods were applied to respiratory sounds in these patients when they were hospitalized because of exacerbation. Two different patterns of presentation and evolution of respiratory sounds in AECOPD were found and described from the method of computerized respiratory sound analysis and unsupervised clustering that was devised. Based on the findings of the study, remote monitoring of respiratory sounds may be useful for the detection and/or follow-up of COPD exacerbation.