RISK FACTORS FOR COPD EXACERBATION A REVIEW ARTICLE

Nashida A., Smrithi Muraleedharan, Ajith A. and Soumya R. V.*

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become a global health issue. As the global population ages, COPD burden increases which is considered as the leading cause for morbidity and mortality. One of the important event in COPD is an exacerbation which is characterised by increased baseline respiratory symptoms. The most common cause of disease is cigarette smoking. There is evidence supporting history of hospitalisation as strong predictor for identifying patients at risk for COPD exacerbation. Other riskfactors for exacerbation identified are comorbidities, disease severity, compliance with treatment,respiratory infections. Research works are going on to assess newer riskfactors for exacerbation of COPD. Identifying the potential risk factors may assist in reducing the economic burden of exacerbation and hospitalization. In this review we are attempted to brief the known riskfactors of COPD exacerbation.

Keywords: COPD, COPD exacerbation, riskfactors.