Objective: Evaluate comorbidity in patients hospitalized due to COPD in the Internal Medicine services.
Methods: An observational, prospective and multicenter study. The Charlson index and a specific questionnaire were used.
Results: A total of 398 patients, 353 men (89%), with mean age of 73.7 years (8.9) and mean FEV(1) of 43.2% (12.5), were included. The most frequent comorbidities were: arterial hypertension (55%), arrhythmias (27%) and diabetes mellitus (26%). A total of 27% suffered heart failure, 17% coronary disease and 9% previous myocardial infarction. The number of associated chronic diseases was 3.6 (1,8). Score on Charlson index was 2.72 (2).
Conclusions: The patients hospitalized due to decompensated COPD had an elevated comorbidity.
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