COPD Exacerbation

Early recognition and timely management of AECOPD are important because exacerbations drive healthcare use and adverse outcomes. Severe exacerbations carried greater subsequent cardiovascular risk than moderate exacerbations. Severe COPD exacerbation was defined by hospitalization with specified COPD ICD-10 codes as a main or relevant secondary discharge diagnosis. Moderate COPD exacerbation was defined by an outpatient visit plus a new corticosteroid or antibiotic prescription lasting 3 to under 30 days. Exacerbations occurring within 14 days were merged and assigned the highest observed severity. AECOPD involves acute worsening of respiratory symptoms beyond day-to-day variation and may require additional treatment or a change in care setting. AECOPD events accelerate lung function decline, worsen health-related quality of life, and are linked to hospitalization, readmission, and mortality. Hospitalisation-related mortality after AECOPD has been reported as high as 15%-30% at one year and about 40% at two years.