Predicting and preventing hospital readmission for exacerbations of COPD

More than a third of patients hospitalised for acute exacerbation of COPD are readmitted to hospital within 90 days. Healthcare professionals and service providers are expected to collaboratively drive efforts to improve hospital readmission rates, which can be challenging due to the lack of clear consensus and guidelines on how best to predict and prevent readmissions. This review identifies these risk factors, highlighting the contribution of multimorbidity, frailty and poor socioeconomic status. Predictive models of readmission that address the multifactorial nature of readmissions and heterogeneity of the disease are reviewed, recognising that in an era of precision medicine, in-depth understanding of the intricate biological mechanisms that heighten the risk of COPD exacerbation and re-exacerbation is needed to derive modifiable biomarkers that can stratify accurately the highest risk groups for targeted treatment. We evaluate conventional and emerging strategies to reduce these potentially preventable readmissions. Here, early recognition of exacerbation symptoms and the delivery of prompt treatment can reduce risk of hospital admissions, while patient education can improve treatment adherence as a key component of self-management strategies. Care bundles are recommended to ensure high-quality care is provided consistently, but evidence for their benefit is limited to date. The search continues for interventions which are effective, sustainable and applicable to a diverse population of patients with COPD exacerbations. Further research into mechanisms that drive exacerbation and affect recovery is crucial to improve our understanding of this complex, highly prevalent disease and to advance the development of more effective treatments.