Predictors of hospital admission for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations in Canadian emergency departments.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to examine predictors of hospital admission among adults presenting to Canadian emergency departments (EDs) for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current acute treatment approaches and outcomes 2 weeks after the ED visit are also described.


METHODS
Subjects, aged > or =35 years presenting with COPD exacerbations to 16 EDs across Canada, underwent a structured in-ED interview and a telephone interview 2 weeks later.


RESULTS
Of 501 study patients, 247 (49.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 44.9% to 53.6%) were admitted. Admitted patients were older, were more often former smokers, and had more admissions for COPD during the past 2 years. They also reported more days of activity limitation and use of inhaled beta(2)-agonists in the previous 24 hours. Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), respiratory rate (RR), and airflow obstruction were more severe in the hospitalized group. Most of the patients received inhaled beta(2)-agonists, anticholinergics, oral corticosteroids (CS), and antibiotics; hospitalized patients received more aggressive treatments. The median ED length of stay (LOS) of admitted patients was 13.1 hours (interquartile range [IQR] = 7.4-23.0) compared to 5.6 hours (IQR = 4.2-8.4) in discharged patients. Admission was associated with at least two COPD admissions in the past 2 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.24 to 3.56), receiving oral CS for COPD (OR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.08 to 2.74), having a CTAS score of 1-2 (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.33 to 3.12), and receiving adjunct ED treatments (OR = 3.95; 95% CI = 2.45 to 6.35). Use of EDs for usual COPD care was associated with a reduced risk of admission (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.28 to 0.66).


CONCLUSIONS
Exacerbations of COPD in Canadian EDs result in prolonged ED stays and approximately 50% hospitalization despite aggressive acute treatment approaches. Historical, severity, and treatment-related factors were strongly associated with hospital admission. Validation of these results should be completed prior to widespread use.
Rowe
Brian H
BH
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. brian.rowe@ualberta.ca
Villa-Roel
Cristina
C
Guttman
Alex
A
Ross
Scott
S
Mackey
Duncan
D
Sivilotti
Marco L A
ML
Worster
Andrew
A
Stiell
Ian G
IG
Willis
Virginia
V
Borgundvaag
Bjug
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007902:Length of Stay; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists