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Abstract:Background: Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) are known to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality and have a significant socioeconomic impact. The factors that determine frequent hospital readmissions for AECOPD are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to EVALUATE the factors responsible for the repeated admissions for AECOPD. Methodology: We conducted a prospective study of 235 patients with COPD with one or more admissions for acute exacerbations in a tertiary care hospital. Frequency of previous readmissions for AECOPD in the past year, and clinical characteristics, including spirometry were ascertained in the stable state both before discharge and at 6-month post discharge. All the patients were followed up for a period of two years after discharge to evaluate the readmissions for the acute exacerbations. Results: Among 149 COPD patients who were admitted and assessed for AECOPD, there were 278 readmissions for AECOPD over a follow-up period of 24 months. Of these, 27% had one readmission, while rest 78% had two or more readmissions during this period. There was a high prevalence of current or ex-heavy smokers, associated co-morbidity, underweight patients and low prevalence of vaccination and use of domiciliary oxygen therapy among COPD patients. A total of 15.4% mortality was observed in the present study. The multivariate logistic regression analysis for repeated admissions revealed that disease duration >10 years (OR =0.50; 95% CI: 0.27 -0.93), non-use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS +LABA) (OR = 2.31; 95% CI: 2.26-4.88), lower serum albumin level (<2gm/dl) (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.26-0.88), MRC dyspnea grade > 3 (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 2.56-4.89), body mass index (BMI) <20 (OR =0.62, 95% CI: 0.31-1.23) and non-use of Tiotropium (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.67-2.19) were independently associated with frequent readmissions for AECOPD. Conclusion: The repeated exacerbations in COPD were common with major burden to the society. The major factors influencing frequency of repeated COPD exacerbations were disease duration, non-prescription of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS +LABA) and Tiotropium, lower serum albumin level (<2gm/dl), lower BMI and MRC dyspnea grade > 3.

BACKGROUND: Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are well established in the management of outpatient asthma. However, there is very little information as to their role in acute asthma exacerbations. The present study was done to evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral Montelukast as an add on therapy to the usual standard therapy of acute attack of bronchial asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A randomized single blinded controlled study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 320 patients with age >18 years of acute exacerbations due to bronchial asthma were included in the study. The patients were randomized into two study and control groups. The study group patients received oral Montelukast (10mg) once daily for 2 weeks, while the control group received a placebo. All the patients received standard therapy according to GINA guidelines. Improvements in lung function tests, clinical symptoms and relapse rates were monitored at baseline, at discharge and at 2 weeks. Side effects profile was also monitored. RESULTS: A total of 255 patients were finally assessed. One hundred thirty patients belonged to study group and 125 in the control group. Baseline characteristics were similar and well matched in both the groups. Mean age was 39.9±15.8 years in study group and 42.8±12.8 in the control group and majority were female patients in both the groups. At the end of 2 weeks, it was observed that there were no significant improvements in FEV1 and FVC as compared to the control group. However, there was significant improvement in PEFR at 2 weeks (0.4 L/sec, 12%) as compared to the control group (p <0.0376). Length of hospital stay was similar in both the groups. No serious adverse effects were noted during the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS: In acute asthma exacerbations, the present study showed that additional administration of oral Montelukast resulted in significantly higher PEFR at 2 weeks as compared to the standard treatment alone. These findings should be confirmed by conducting a larger population based clinical study.