Factors associated with hospital admission in patients reaching the emergency department with COPD exacerbation

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of COPD exacerbations in our Emergency Department, as well as the hospitalization-related factors. METHODS: Prospective observational study conducted in the Emergency Department of Salnés County Hospital among patients admitted for COPD exacerbation. Admission predictors were determined by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: There were 409 exacerbations in 239 patients (79% male, mean age 75). 57% of exacerbations required hospitalization. Hospitalization-related factors were impaired oxygenation (p < 0.001), presence of neutrophilia (p < 0.01) and prescription of antibiotics in the Emergency Department (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: COPD exacerbation accounts for over 1% of all visits to our Emergency Department. 57% of them required hospitalization. Impaired oxygenation, greater neutrophilia and prescription of antibiotics in the Emergency Department were associated with greater probability of admission.