Respiratory parameters predict mortality in COPD patients - data from the Czech multicentre research database of severe COPD

Introduction: According to the GOLD 2017 guidelines, the assessment of COPD is based on symptoms and exacerbation history. Currently, major part of COPD patients is classified stage B. This fact stresses the need for identifying risk factors of mortality in subpopulations of COPD patients. Aims: Our aim was to identify risk factors predictive of severe outcome in COPD patients. Methods: Prospective data from the Czech research database of COPD were analyzed with emphasis on respiratory parameters. Patients that completed blood gas examination and 36 months of follow-up were included. Kaplan-Meier survival plots were calculated for each pre-defined parameter (oxemia, capnemia, hemoglobin saturation, minimal saturation at rest or during 6MWT) for COPD patients overall and for subgroups with stage B and D. Analyses were performed for both GOLD 2016 and 2017 guideline. Results: To date, 722 patients were included in the registry. According to GOLD 2016 guidelines, 20.2% of these patients were classified stage B. Following the GOLD 2017 guidelines, the portion of stage B patients was 53.0%. Overall 391 patients met the inclusion criteria for our study. We have found significant differences in 3-year mortality in patients with COPD stage B if moderate hypoxemia (p Conclusion: Moderate hypoxemia, decreased saturation and minimal saturation at rest or at 6MWT predict outcome in patients with COPD stage B.