A high level of continuity of care improves all-cause mortality in patients with COPD, according to a South Korean study of 3090 COPD patients in a nationwide health insurance claims database. The study was published in PLOS One.

Researchers main goal was to measure continuity of care over 7 years in patients with COPD and to investigate the association between continuity of care and all causes of mortality. In addition, the study sought to identify other mortality-related factors in COPD patients.

According to the results, low continuity of care was associated with a 22% increased risk of all-cause mortality. Not receiving oxygen therapy at home was associated with a 23% increased risk of all-cause mortality. The risk of all-cause mortality for patients admitted one time increased 38%, admitted two times was 63%, and admitted three or more times was 96% compared to the group with no admissions.