Document Type : Research Article
Abstract
Background: Acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is the leading morbidity and mortality cause worldwide. Many studies showed the association of hyperglycaemia with poor results from a wide range of acute illnesses.
Aim and Objectives: To investigate the association between concentrations of blood glucose & clinical outcomes in AECOPD patients admitted to the hospital.
Material and Methods: This is a hospital-based retrospective analysis carried out on AECOPD patients admitted during the period of January 2021 to March 2022. Detailed history, clinical examination, blood investigations were performed. Random blood glucose levels at the admission were noted, and the subjects were separated into groups of four on the basis of blood glucose levels (≤ 140 mg/dl, 141- 170 mg/dl, 171-200 mg/dl, >200 mg/dl). The clinical outcome was compared among these four groups.
Results: In this study majority were male patients (86%) with age ranging from 66-75 years (46%). About 85% of patients were smokers, and 15% were non-smokers. 68% of the study group population was hyperglycaemic (RBS >140 mg/dl). Among different quartiles, the mean length of stay in hospital was statistically considerable (p=<0.05), signifying an increased length of stay in hospital trend as the admission RBS levels increase. There was no statistically significant relationship amongst the RBS quartiles of ≤140 mg/dl and RBS quartiles of 141-170mg/dl (p=0.997). There was a statistically considerable correlation amongst the RBS quartiles ≤140 mg/dl and RBS quartiles ≥201 mg/dl(p=000), and this study’s crude rate of mortality was 5%. The population under quartile of RBS ≥201mg/dl had the highest percentage. All the people who died were over the age of 56 years. The mean HbA1c among dead (9.43 ± 2.25) and alive (6.78±1.70) showed significant relation (p=<0.05).
Conclusion: Higher the admission RBS, longer was the mean length of stay in hospital and mortality in the AECOPD diagnosed patients. Maintaining the blood glucose levels < 170 mg/dl than the strict glycaemic control, i.e.<140 mg/dl, could benefit these patients' outcome. This study indicates that for clinically treating the AECOPD patient population, targeted surveillance, as well as DM management, are critical.