Prevalence of Comorbid Conditions in Patients of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] with Acute Exacerbation

Bacground Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [AECOPD] often requires hospital admission [in icu] with high mortality. Comorbidity appears to increase the mortality with aecopd. Recent studies have focused on the comorbid conditions aggravating this problem. Aim To study the prevalence of comorbid conditions in hospitalized patients with aecopd in a corporate hospital in Tamilnadu. Methods One hundred patients admitted to the hospital with aecopd during June 2013 to March 2014 were taken up for study. Ethical clearance and patient consent were obtained. They were investigated for comorbid conditions. Results Majority of patients were above 65 years of age. Mean age was 67.1 %. Males constitute 75 % and 74.6 % of them were smokers, 32 % alcoholics.68 % were hypertensive, 53.5 % diabetics and 28 % had cardiac problems.17 % were anemic, 15 % had renal problems.12 % had obstructive sleep apnea [OSA], 12 % eye problems, !! % with liver problems, 10 % had arthritis. Conclusion It is important to identify these comorbidities and treat them effectively so as to prevent exacerbation thereby reduce morbidity and mortality.