European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background and Aim: The global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) defines COPD as a common preventable and treatable disease. Exacerbations and co morbidities contribute to the overall severity in individual patients. Anaemia of chronic disease is relatively common and an important factor in the natural history of COPD. So this study aimed to found out  the impact of Anaemia on survival in COPD exacerbations.
Methods: 100 patients of COPD admitted in ICU of Department of Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur with exacerbation, were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Results: Out of 100 patients 83 patients needed NIV. Out of these patients 34 patients had NIV failure, 49 patients had successful NIV while 17 patients needed IMV. Mean Haemoglobin and hematocrit for NIV failure patients (11.39 + 1.69gm/dl, 38.47 + 3.23%) was significantly lower in comparison to NIV successful patients (13.40 + 1.34gm/dl, 45.74 + 3.97%). Duration of hospital stay in anaemic patients (21.91+8.92 days) was significantly higher than the non anaemic patients (18.26+8.09 days). Mean Haemoglobin and hematocrit for non survivors (11.59+1.59 gm/dl, 38.40+3.22%) was significantly lower than survivors (12.79+1.73 gm/dl, 44.20 + 4.57%).
Conclusion: Anaemia increases the risk of hospital death in severe COPD exacerbations and it also increases requirement of mechanical ventilatory support.