COPD is a group of progressively debilitating respiratory conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and it ranks as the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC. About 16 million Americans are currently diagnosed with COPD, but another 14 million or more remain undiagnosed. In addition, COPD accounts for nearly 2 million ED visits each year, but much of this data is confounded by asthma admissions.

“COPD patients who require ED attention or hospitalization are those with the most severe disease,” explains Reynold A. Panettieri, Jr., MD. “Furthermore, hospitalization and ED visits for COPD are more often clustered in the winter. They are associated with exposure to viruses and bacterial pathogens.” People aged 50 and older are more likely than others to get COPD, but the damage starts years before these individuals are diagnosed and can progress even after smoking cessation. Since the disease occurs and is diagnosed later in life, the risk of COPD is especially high for patients older than 45 with a smoking history.

Healthcare Utilization & Readmission for COPD

Most patients with diagnosed COPD report that symptoms of their disease impair their quality of life, but only about half take at least one daily medication for COPD. The healthcare utilization rate for COPD patients is also substantial. About one in five COPD patients visits an ED or is admitted to a hospital for care within a year.

“The bottom line is that patients, providers, and the healthcare system
cannot afford recidivism for COPD hospitalization.”

Recidivism in healthcare has been defined as the tendency by ill patients to relapse or return to hospitals for treatment. Within the realm of COPD, recidivism remains particularly problematic, especially with regard to readmissions. An AHRQ study of patients aged 40 and older with COPD revealed that more than 7% of index admissions were followed by at least one readmission within 30 days for a principal diagnosis of the disease (Table 1). This rate jumped to more than 17% when COPD was listed as any diagnosis (principal or secondary) during a subsequent hospital stay and to over 20% when all-cause 30-day readmissions were considered.

The health consequences of COPD readmission are substantial, according to Dr. Panettieri. “Beyond the profound effects on the healthcare system and limitations of reimbursement by managed care, patients who require rehospitalization are often more likely to be deconditioned, which worsens comorbidities. The bottom line is that patients, providers, and the healthcare system cannot afford recidivism for COPD hospitalization.”

Improving Physician Education Efforts on COPD

Nationwide, greater efforts are needed to educate healthcare personnel on effective strategies for diagnosing, preventing, and managing COPD in order to avoid recidivism. When diagnosing COPD, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommends performing spirometry if any disease indicators are present in patients aged 40 and older. Indicators include dyspnea, chronic cough, chronic sputum production, a history of exposure to risk factors, and a family history of COPD (Table 2). These indicators are not diagnostics themselves, but their presence increases the probability of a COPD diagnosis as more indicators are spotted.

GOLD also offers recommendations for how patients with COPD should be assessed during their hospitalization and when they should be admitted for further evaluation and care. Those with a marked increase in symptom intensity and severe underlying COPD should be admitted. If there is an onset of new physical signs or failure of an exacerbation to respond to initial medical management, an admission is recommended. Other important considerations for hospitalization include older age, frequency of exacerbations, and insufficient home support. “The patients most likely to require rehospitalization within 30 days of a COPD exacerbation are those with comorbidities and the most severe disease,” adds Dr. Panettieri.

Addressing COPD Comorbidities During Admission

When considering hospital admission, the presence of serious COPD comorbidities is critical to avoiding recidivism. In addition to smoking, common co–morbidities include heart attack, stroke, lung cancer, osteoporosis, skeletal muscle loss and weakness, weight loss, depression, and metabolic syndrome. These comorbidities should alert physicians to seek and address risk factors in COPD patients. Caring for comorbidities can improve quality of life and ensure that treatable conditions are addressed. Information on comorbidities can also help physicians gain a better clinical picture of patients who are likely to be readmitted to the hospital or ED.

Dr. Panettieri says, “it is imperative that healthcare providers attending to patients in the hospital and ED provide adequate and timely follow-up for those at great risk for recidivism. The most common scenario for recidivism is when patients have comorbidities, show signs of advanced disease severity, and lack a strong support system to manage their disease.”

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