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

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 per cent had mild, 48% moderate, 18% severe and 18% very severe COPD. Seventy-seven per cent 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 per cent 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.