For the study, researchers followed 1,664 COPD patients for an average 51 months. Among the 79 comorbidities, researchers found 12 were significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of death. They include lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, atrial fibrillation/flutter, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, gastric/duodenal ulcers, liver cirrhosis, diabetes with neuropathy and anxiety.
Researchers concluded healthcare providers may be able to screen for these comorbidities and implement interventions to reduce risk of death. They also acknowledged the study’s limitations, including the low proportion of female study subjects.
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