In 2012, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung
Disease (GOLD) revised their
classification of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
patients, incorporating spirometry, symptoms and recent
exacerbations.
The sims and objectives was to assess if patients
admitted with an exacerbation of COPD were properly
staged prior to the admission, and whether their
treatment on presentation was in accordance with GOLD
recommendations.
All patients admitted to
Mater Dei Hospital, Malta with a COPD exacerbation
during February, May and August 2013 were studied.
Spirometry was considered relevant if performed within
the previous two years. The mMRC score of each
patient, the number of exacerbations over the previous
12 months, and patient co-morbidities were also
recorded.peer-reviewe
