Abstract
Background: Frailty during acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is associated with increased risk of readmission. Despite this, not all patients readmit, and the factors associated with readmission are not clear.
Aim: To identify the clinical features of patients with AECOPD and frailty who experience readmissions.
Methods: Prospective cohort study of 74 patients recruited during AECOPD at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Frailty was defined according to Fried phenotype (slowness, weakness, exhaustion, weight loss, physical activity) evaluated early during admission. Characteristics of this group, measured during AECOPD and as change (∆) up to 1-month review, were compared between those who were vs were not censored due to 90-day respiratory-related readmission or death.
Results: Frailty was detected in 34 (46%) of all patients with AECOPD and associated with a 4.5-fold risk of readmission c.f. non-frail patients (p=0.008). Key findings between those who were (n=15 [44%]) or were not (n=19 [56%]) censored are presented in the table.
Discussion: Frailty is a highly prevalent, clinically important trait to detect during AECOPD. Follow-up evaluation of frail patients after discharge may be indicated to better detect those at high risk of readmission.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, OA3813.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019