A study on Serum albumin as an indicator for respiratory failure in COPD patients experiencing acute exacerbations, both with and without cor pulmonale in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: COPD is a prevalent disease that can be prevented and treated, marked by ongoing respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow, primarily due to issues in the airways or alveoli, often resulting from significant exposure to harmful particles or gases

OBJECTIVES:

1. To analyze the role of serum albumin in COPD patients with acute exacerbation.


2. To determine whether serum albumin can predict respiratory failure in COPD patients.

MATERIAL & METHODS: Study Design: Prospective hospital-based observational study. Study area:  The study was conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine.  Study Period:  1 year. Study population: Only males with a smoking history and previously diagnosed COPD patients based on spirometry were included in the study.  Sample size: The study consisted of 103 subjects. Sampling method: Simple random Sampling Technique.

Results: Among the study group, 56 patients (54.4%) have serum albumin <3.8 and 47 patients (45.6%) have serum albumin in the range of 3.8-5.1. respiratory failure is more common among patients with low serum albumin (74.6%) than in patients with a normal serum albumin range (25.4%).

CONCLUSION:  The current research indicates that low albumin levels (hypoalbuminemia) are a significant predictor of respiratory failure in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). It also predicts the necessity for non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in these patients.