Risk factors for all-cause hospital readmission following exacerbation of COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Readmission rates following hospitalisation for COPD exacerbations are unacceptably high, and the contributing factors are poorly understood. Our objective was to summarise and evaluate the factors associated with 30- and 90-day all-cause readmission following hospitalisation for an exacerbation of COPD. METHODS: We systematically searched electronic databases from inception to 5 November 2019. Data were extracted by two independent authors in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Study quality was assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. We synthesised a narrative from eligible studies and conducted a meta-analysis where this was possible using a random-effects model. RESULTS: In total, 3533 abstracts were screened and 208 full-text manuscripts were reviewed. A total of 32 papers met the inclusion criteria, and 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The readmission rate ranged from 8.8–26.0% at 30 days and from 17.5–39.0% at 90 days. Our narrative synthesis showed that comorbidities, previous exacerbations and hospitalisations, and increased length of initial hospital stay were the major risk factors for readmission at 30 and 90 days. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) revealed that heart failure (1.29 (1.22–1.37)), renal failure (1.26 (1.19–1.33)), depression (1.19 (1.05–1.34)) and alcohol use (1.11 (1.07–1.16)) were all associated with an increased risk of 30-day all-cause readmission, whereas being female was a protective factor (0.91 (0.88–0.94)). CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities, previous exacerbations and hospitalisation, and increased length of stay were significant risk factors for 30- and 90-day all-cause readmission after an index hospitalisation with an exacerbation of COPD.