Co-morbidities in patients with gold stage 4 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is associated with several co-morbidities, however their prevalence varies from one study to another.

To determine the prevalence of several co-morbidities in patients with COPD severity score GOLD 4 (The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, 2010) followed in ambulatory care, in a University Hospital.

A questionnaire was designed and carried out in order to characterize COPD and its co-morbidities. Clinical files were consulted in order to complete the data.

89 patients (87% male) with a mean age of 68 years old, of which 79% were ex-smokers, were included. The average value of FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) was 38% of the expected values and all the patients presented chronic respiratory failure. Thirty-five patients (39%) were frequent exacerbators. Thirty-seven patients (42%) had been hospitalized at least once due to exacerbation of their respiratory disease in the previous year, and 66 patients (74%) hospitalized in the previous five years. Most of the patients (97%) presented at least one comorbidity, with an average of 4 co-morbidities per patient and an average Charlson index of 2. The most frequent co-morbidities were cardiovascular diseases (69%), osteoarticular pathology (51%), erectile dysfunction (48%), sleep apnoea syndrome (43%) dyslipidaemia (35%), cataracts (31%), gastroesophageal reflux (29%) and diabetes (20%). Frequent exacerbators presented an increased risk of having two or more co-morbidities (Odds Ratio of 5), as well as a higher prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (p=0.0006) and more hospitalizations in the last year and in the previous 5 years (p <0.001).

This study confirmed the high prevalence and the association of co-morbidities in patients with COPD severity score GOLD 4, thus justifying the need for a comprehensive and integrating therapeutic approach.