Clinical outcomes and mortality analysis of patients with COPD admitted to an intensive care unit: Retrospective analyses of five-year data

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); is a common, preventable and treatable disease which causes restriction of progressive and permanent air flow. In this study, we retrospectively examined the data of 298 patients with COPD who had been treated in our intensive care clinics between 2008-2013 years. Demographic characteristics and clinical data of patients were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups as survivors and deceased. Mortality rates and factors effecting mortality were examined. In the study, the mortality rate was found to be 44.64%. The mean age of surviving patients was (n=165) 67.29±10.42 years while the mean age of exited patients was found to be (n=133) 70.54±11.25 years and a statistically significant difference was determined between the two groups (p<0.05). When the GKS, APACHE II and SOFA scores of the patients were compared, a significant difference was detected between both groups (p<0.001). When the patients’ data related to the mechanical ventilation (PEEP, PIP, Plateau pressure), duration of hospitalization and gender distribution were compared, statistically significant difference was not detected between the surviving and dead patient groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference was detected between the PaCO2, HCO3, WBC, Hb, Cr, Na, Ca, Mg values of the survived, and exited patients (p<0.05). Tracheotomy was performed in 12 patients (4%). In conclusion, despite the developments in the intensive care follow-up and treatments, the mortality rate in the patients with COPD still remains high related to multifactorial etiologies.