Mechanisms of COPD Exacerbation Recurrence
Mechanisms of COPD Exacerbation Recurrence
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common smoking-related lung disease.
 Patients with COPD are at increased risk of readmission to hospitals within the following 30
 days. Hospital readmissions of COPD contribute to clinical and economic burden on society.
 Understanding why some COPD patients are readmitted remains a key area of unmet need.

 To our knowledge, no previous study has fully investigated both the social and clinical risk
 factors associated with these types of patients. The investigators want to prospectively and
 comprehensively explore the possible causes, whether clinical or social factors, that cause
 rehospitalisation. The investigators will be collecting demographic and clinical information
 including daily physical activity level, lung function, blood and sputum samples. These
 measurements will be collected at patient admission, discharge and at follow-up of 30 and 90
 days. This process could lead to a better understanding of the reasons which prevent early
 hospital readmission for those patients.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients who have a primary diagnosis of COPD

 -  Patients admitted to hospital with an exacerbation.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients in whom an initial diagnosis of an AECOPD is revised to an alternative at a
 later phase of the study.

 -  Patients who have a predominant history of asthma

 -  Patients with a confirmed active malignancy

 -  Patients who have a predominant history of bronchiectasis.

 -  Cognitive impairment patients with a Mental Test Score (MTS) of 6 or less.

 -  Inability to give informed consent to take part in the study