Exacerbation history is a reliable predictor of future exacerbations

Previous exacerbations proved an important risk factor for future exacerbations. This real-world data from a large cohort study supports the need for improved management and treatment of COPD patients [1]. In the registry-based, cohort study AvoidEx, data was collected from German healthcare insurance claims and Swedish medical records of COPD patients ≥40 years. All participants had their first COPD diagnosis during 2010-2017. Overall, 250,723 COPD patient from Germany and 27,178 COPD patients from Sweden were included. Patients were divided into 4 groups (i.e. none, 1 moderate, 1 severe, ≥ 2 moderate to severe) according to the baseline exacerbation 12 months pre-index (which is based on the exacerbation classification). The follow-up period lasted up to 9 years. In German patients without baseline exacerbations, 19.0% (18.9-19.2%) had exacerbations after 1-year follow-up and 35.9% (35.7-36.1%) after 3 years. In Sweden, corresponding numbers were ...

Please login to read the full text of the article.

If you have no account yet, please register now.

Posted on 29 October, 2020