DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major health burden. There is accompanying hypoxia, hypercapnia and acidosis leading to deterioration of vital body functions.Objective: To determine the frequency of respiratory failure in patients admitted with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.Setting: Department of Pulmonology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.Duration: 6 months from 19th April, 2010 to 19th October, 2010.Subjects and Methods: The total number of patients included in the study was 383 presenting with acute exacerbation of COPD. Arterial blood sample was collected immediately at the time of presentation, analyzed for partial pressures of carbon dioxide, oxygen, PH and HCO3 using arterial blood gas analyzer and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 10.Results: The total number of patients was 383 including 257 (67.10%) males and 126 (32.90%) females. The mean age was 59.3 years + 10.76SD. Respiratory failure in acute exacerbation of COPD was observed in 136 (35.51%) patients including 90 males (23.50%) and 46 females (12.01%). Maximum number with respiratory failure was in 51 to 60 years age group which was 67 (17.49%) and minimum number was recorded 15 (3.91%) in the age group of 71 to 80 years.Conclusion: Respiratory failure is very common in patients presenting with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Tertiary care hospitals must be well equipped for management of these patients.