Frequent hospital readmissions for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The aim of the survey was to assess the re-hospitalization rates for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and characteristics of these patients. 163 consecutive patients who had been hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD at the Sezana Hospital between January and December 2009 were enrolled. Subgroup of these patients, who were readmitted for AECOPD (acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) the following year, was further investigated. Clinical information, spirometric measures, arterial blood gases and socioeconomic characteristic were analysed. Frequent readmission was defined as two or more hospitalizations in the year following discharge. During the first year after discharge 62 patients (38%) were re-admitted into hospital for AECOPD. The mean age was 73.78 +/- 7.1 years. 34 patients had one hospital admission (54.8%), 28patients (45.2%) 2 or more admissions. Among the 28 frequent readmission patients, eight patients had more than 3 and two had more than 4 readmissions. Median time until the first readmission was 251 days for patients with one readmission and 212 days for others. 14 patients with frequent readmissions (50%) had mean body mass index (BMI) < 20kg/m2. The patients with frequent readmission had at the time of discharge forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 43.11 +/- 9.7 of predicted, arterial CO2 partial pressure (paCO(2)) 45.4 +/- 5.6mmHg and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) 94 +/- 2.1. They had 2.1 +/- 1.0 prior year admission for COPD and low socioeconomic status.