Predicting factors contributing to length of stay in hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients: the role of the emergency room.
BACKGROUND
Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of hospital admission and COPD patients usually have a long stay in hospital.


METHODS
The objective of this study was to identify factors predicting length of stay in patients with exacerbation of COPD when seen in the emergency room. We analyzed clinical and biological variables.


RESULTS
Patients with diminished breath sounds, systolic pressure higher than 140 mmHg, diastolic pressure higher than 90 mmHg and recent previous hospitalization for exacerbation of COPD had the longest hospital stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Recognition of this clinical profile in the emergency room may help to increase efforts in order to diminish length of stay in these patients.
Díaz-Peromingo
José Antonio
JA
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Arquitecto Marcide, El Ferrol, Spain. jadiazperomingo@mundo-r.com
Grandes-Ibáńez
Jesús
J
Fandińo-Orgeira
José Manuel
JM
Barcala-Villamarín
Pablo
P
Garrido-Sanjuán
Juan Antonio
JA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies