Characteristics, Management and In-Hospital Clinical Outcomes Among Inpatients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in China: Results from the Phase I Data of ACURE Study

Purpose: The study aimed to give a comprehensive overview of characteristics and evaluate in-hospital clinical outcomes among hospitalized acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients in China using data from the AECOPD inpatient registry (ACURE). Patients and Methods: The ACURE is an ongoing, national, multicenter, observational registry. Participants enrolled during phase I stage (1 st September 2017 to 25 th February 2020) of ACURE with confirmed AECOPD diagnoses were studied. Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe features and occurrences of in-hospital clinical outcomes of AECOPD inpatients in real-world China. Results: A total of 5334 AECOPD inpatients from 163 sites in 28 provinces or province-level municipalities were included. Among all participants, 78.8% were males and the median age was 69.0 [interquartile range (IQR): 63.0-76.0] years. The proportions of current and former smokers were 23.6% and 44.2%, respectively. The median age at COPD diagnosis was 64.0 (IQR: 57.0-71.0) years and 88.7% participants demonstrated at least one comorbidity. During stable period, only 56.9% subjects received pharmacological therapies and the influenza vaccination rate was 2.9%. During hospitalization, 99.5% subjects received pharmacological treatments and antibiotics were prescribed to 90.9% participants. The all-cause in-hospital mortality was 0.1% and no significant difference was found across hospital categories. Conclusion: Clinical features of Chinese AECOPD inpatients were different from those of other populations. In real-world China, the clinical management during stable period was unsatisfied, whereas therapy during hospitalization was effective regarding in-hospital clinical outcomes regardless of hospital category.

Automated summary

The study provides a comprehensive overview of characteristics and clinical outcomes of hospitalized acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients in China. Clinical features of Chinese AECOPD inpatients differ from other populations, with unsatisfactory management during stable periods but effective therapy during hospitalization for in-hospital clinical outcomes.