Factors related to the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a retrospective case-control study

Objectives: To explore the factors related to the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: 80 COPD patients treated between January 2020 and December 2022. The patients' pulmonary functions at their first hospital admission were categorized into four groups: Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and Grade IV. Each group was further divided into a progression group and a non-progression group based on the disease progression over one year or several years of follow-up. Patients with other respiratory diseases, malignant tumors, severe heart, kidney, liver dysfunctions, or immune deficiencies affecting the prognosis were excluded. General information, clinical data, treatment data, and statistical analysis of the patients.

Results: In comparison with the non-progression group, the progression group had significantly higher age, smoking behavior, COPD history, hemoptysis history, CRP levels, IL-6 levels, and Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) scores, exhibiting significantly lower FEV1, FEV1% predicted, PaO2, and PaCO2. More frequent use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, oxygen therapy, and mechanical ventilation were observed in the progression group than that in the non-progression group (P < 0.05). As a consequence, the progression group had a worse prognosis as indicated by higher hospitalization costs, longer hospital stay, and higher rate of acute exacerbations than the non-progression group (P < 0.05). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years, PSI score ≥ 130 points, and multidrug-resistant bacteria infection were independent risk factors for the progression of COPD (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Older COPD patients, higher PSI score, and multidrug-resistant bacteria infection have a worse prognosis and need more intensive treatment and follow-up.