Impact of diabetes in patients admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD

Background In patients admitted with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), the presence of concomitant diabetes has been shown to prolong the length of stay (LOS) and increase the risk of death. However, it is not clear if this impacts on readmission rates. Methods A retrospective study of consecutive patients admitted with AECOPD in an acute teaching hospital. Results 67 patients (45% male) with a mean (SD) age of 72 (12) years and % predicted FEV1 of 55 (20) were included in the study. 15 (22%) of them had concomitant diabetes with a mean (SD) HbA1C of 6.8 (1.3). No significant difference in LOS or mortality within one year was noted between the two groups. However, there was a trend for increased readmission rates in the following year in patients admitted with AECOPD and concomitant diabetes. Conclusions Our study suggests that the presence of DM might have an impact on readmission rates following a hospital admission with AECOPD. Prospective studies with larger sample size are needed to evaluate this further.