Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD
Published on: September 27, 2024
Factors associated with the rate of COPD exacerbations that require hospitalization
Radisa Pavlovic1, Srdjan Stefanovic1, Zorica Lazic2
1Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia.
Background/Aim:
Exacerbations are key events in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Frequent exacerbations occurring during the natural course of COPD lead to deterioration of health-related quality of life and are major causes of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify factors independently associated with frequent severe exacerbations of COPD that require hospitalization.
Materials And Methods:
A case-control study was performed to analyze risk factors and frequency of severe exacerbations, which were defined by the GOLD guideline criteria. Stepwise multivariate regression was used to determine the significant predictors of frequent exacerbations.
Results:
Results revealed five independent predictors of frequent exacerbations: age, length of hospital stay, FEV1/FVC ratio, CRP level above 10 mg/L, and respiratory comorbidities.
Conclusion:
COPD patients should be more carefully assessed in terms of age, length of hospital stay, FEV1/FVC ratio, CRP level, and respiratory comorbidities. Patients under 65 years of age with respiratory comorbidities, longer hospital stay, lower FEV1/FVC ratio and CRP of <10 mg/L are more prone to experiencing a minimum of one additional hospitalization in the following year. Patients could spend less time in the hospital environment and increase their quality of life by adjusting these risk factors for hospitalization due to COPD.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD: