Predictors of poor clinical outcomes including in-hospital death and low ability to perform activities of daily living at discharge in hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Many patients with COPD experience exacerbations that require hospitalization, which is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death and impaired ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL). Declining ability to perform ADL is a critical issue for these patients. OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of poor clinical outcomes, including in-hospital death and low ability to perform ADL at discharge, in patients who are hospitalized with exacerbation of COPD. DESIGN: This retrospective study involved a cohort of patients with exacerbation of COPD who were admitted to Iwata City Hospital in Japan between July 2015 and October 2019. METHODS: We collected clinical data, measured the cross-sectional area of the erector spinae muscles (ESM(CSA)) on computed tomography (CT) scans at admission, and investigated the associations of poor clinical outcomes (in-hospital death and severe dependence when performing ADL, defined as a Barthel Index (BI) of ⩽40 at discharge) with clinical parameters. RESULTS: Overall, 207 patients were hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD during the study period. The incidence of poor clinical outcomes was 21.3%, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 6.3%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that older age, long-term oxygen therapy, an elevated D-dimer concentration, and a reduced ESM(CSA) on chest CT at admission were significantly associated with poor clinical outcomes (in-hospital death and a BI of ⩽40). CONCLUSION: Hospitalization for exacerbation of COPD was associated with high rates of in-hospital mortality and a BI of ⩽40 at discharge, which may be predicted by assessment of ESM(CSA).