COPD comorbidities and risk assessment according to GOLD 2011 revision

Introduction The GOLD revision 2011 introduced a new approach to COPD classification and treatment. Aim Our study examined hospitalized and outpatients with COPD by assessing severity according to the GOLD 2011 document and the comorbidities in the different groups. Methods The patients voluntarily filled in specially designed questionnaire. Information about patient medical history, clinical examination, exacerbation history and treatment was gathered. SPSS 16.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results Two-hundred and three patients took part in the study. The mean age was 67 years (SD ± 9.5). The patients’ distribution in groups was – 5.4 % in A; 16.7% in B; 3.0% in C; 74.9% in D. The study found out higher percentage of comorbidities in the high risk groups (C and D) compared to the low risk groups (A and B): concomitant diseases – 83.0% versus 68.2% (p<0.05); ischemic heart disease – 33.3% versus 17.8% (p<0.05); arrhythmia – 25.2% versus 13.3% (p=0.09); arterial hypertension – 47.3% versus 28.9% (p<0.05); congestive heart failure – 40.3% versus 28.9% (p=0.17); diabetes – 20.1% versus 22.2% (p=0.76); gastrointestinal disorders – 30.8% versus 28.9% (p=0.81); anemia – 3.7% versus 2.2% (p=0.62). Conclusion There is a higher percentage of comorbidities in the high risk groups compared to the low risk groups (p<0.05). The difference is statistically significant for ischemic heart disease (p<0.05) and arterial hypertension (p<0.05). Certain comorbidities could be added to the GOLD severity criteria.