Prognostic value of DECAF score in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD – A one year longitudinal study in KLE’s Dr.Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belagavi

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a preventable, common and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation due to airway and alveolar abnormalities usuallycontributed by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases. More than 30 lakh patients die every year due to COPD. It is the 4th major cause of mortality in the world. Even though exacerbations of COPD are both very common and often fatal, it is difficult to comment on the outcome of hospitalised patient with AECOPD due to the scarce availability of scoring systems for the same. A simple prediction tool, using indices commonly available during the time of admission in hospital, can stratify patients hospitalized with AECOPD accurately into clinically relevant risk categories and could, therefore, help clinicians in managing this fatal condition. The DECAF Score (Dyspnoea, Eosinopenia, Consolidation, Acidemia and Atrial Fibrillation Score) uses indices which are routinely available during the time of hospital admission to prognosticate the patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of COPD. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the prognostic value of DECAF score in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.