Risk Scale Determines Likelihood of Adverse Events in COPD Patients

Researchers have developed a risk scale for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to identify clinical characteristics that heighten the likelihood of adverse events, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Analyzing common characteristics of COPD patients experiencing adverse events, researchers developed a 10-point risk scale, where scores of zero to 10 indicate risks of adverse events from 2.2 percent to 91.4 percent, respectively.

Each risk factor is assigned a point-value. The higher the score, the higher the risk.

The following are the 10 risk factors, broken down into three categories.

History
Previous coronary bypass graft (1 point)
Peripheral vascular disease intervention (1 point)
Intubation for respiratory distress (2 points)

Examination
Heart rate greater than or equal to 110 beats per minute upon arrival (2)
Patient is too sick to perform a walk test after emergency department treatment (2)

Investigations
Acute ischemic changes on echocardiogram (2 points)
Evident pulmonary congestion (1 point)
Less than 100 grams per liter of hemoglobin (3 points)
High urea levels (1 point)
High levels of carbon dioxide in the blood (1 point)

Researchers suggest the risk scale helps identify the likelihood of adverse events and can be used to ensure appropriate, adequate care for COPD patients.

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