A RECENT study reveals that health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at hospital admission can significantly predict re-hospitalisation and mortality risks in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admitted for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Conducted as a prospective cohort study, this research highlights the importance of HRQoL as a prognostic tool, especially for targeting in-hospital care.
Researchers assessed HRQoL among COPD patients admitted with CAP and divided participants into tertiles based on HRQoL scores and specific domains. Findings showed that patients in the middle and highest HRQoL tertiles had a notably lower risk of re-hospitalisation within 90 days compared to those in the lowest tertile, though no differences were seen at 30 and 180 days. Notably, the domain of pain and discomfort emerged as a predictor of re-hospitalisation, with nearly one in four participants reporting severe pain at admission.
The study also found that patients in the middle and highest HRQoL tertiles experienced a lower risk of mortality within 180 days post-discharge compared to those in the lowest tertile, indicating the long-term impact of HRQoL on survival.
These results suggest that a focus on in-hospital palliative care, especially for pain management, could improve outcomes for COPD patients hospitalised with pneumonia. By addressing HRQoL factors like pain early, healthcare providers may reduce the likelihood of re-hospitalisation and improve prognosis in this vulnerable group.
Reference
Hegelund MH et al. Health-related quality of life predicts prognosis in individuals with COPD hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia – a prospective cohort study. Sci Rep. 2024;DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-74933-0.
