Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as comorbidity in patients admitted to a university hospital: A cross-sectional study

摘要

Background and Aims: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease, especially among smokers. The disease is underdiagnosed, and patients often suffer from comorbidities. The aims of this study were to elucidate the prevalence of COPD as comorbidity in a university hospital setting, to characterise patients demographically, to investigate comorbidities in patients suffering from COPD and lastly, to analyse whether CODP as comorbidity influenced the length of stay. Methods: Aalborg University Hospital covers all medical and surgical specialities. A 1-day cross-sectional study was carried out in the entire hospital. A spirometry was performed on the patients. Data on smoking habits, prior lung function measurements, prescribed lung medicine and self-evaluated dyspnoea, using the Medical Research Council score and body mass index were recorded. The final diagnosis was registered after 1 month. Results: Two hundred fifteen patients participated, and 28% suffered from COPD. Sixteen percent had mild, 48% moderate, 18% severe and 18% very severe COPD. Seventy-seven percent were newly diagnosed at our examination. COPD patients did not have significantly more comorbidities than non-COPD patients. Gastrointestinal diseases, haematologic diseases and uro-nephrologic diseases were significantly more prevalent in COPD patients. Duration of stay was significantly longer among COPD patients compared with non-COPD patients, P<0.05. Conclusion: Seventy-seven percent of the COPD patients in this study were newly diagnosed at our examination. Gastrointestinal diseases, haematologic diseases and uro-nephrologic diseases were significantly more prevalent in COPD patients. COPD patients were hospitalised significantly longer than non-COPD patients.