Decompensation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is a chronic respiratory disease with episodes of severe decompensation that can be life-threatening. Objectives: To study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profile of subjects with COPD decompensation, and to identify factors predictive of mortality. Materials and methods: Retrospective, descriptive and analytical study over 4 years and 4 months. We included all patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit for COPD decompensation.Results: We collected 54 cases, i.e. 12.6% of all admissions.We found a statistically significant relationship between a history of heart failure, diabetes and renal failure and death (p= 0.044). The presence of clinical signs of shock and respiratory arrest on admission were associated with higher mortality. Recourse to IV was correlated with a poor prognosis (p = 0.005). Comparison of complications showed a significant association between ARDS, PAVM, pulmonary embolism and shock and death.Conclusion: COPD decompensation is a major cause of morbidity and mortality.