Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have identified predictors of early rehospitalization among patients hospitalized for complications of COPD, according to a study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

In a nationwide analysis of more than 8,000 commercially insured adult patients with COPD, UTMB researchers concluded that several modifiable factors, such as appropriate prescriptions upon discharge and early follow up after discharge from the hospital, were associated with lower likelihood of early readmission.

High rates of hospital readmissions and differences in those rates may stem from patient-specific factors, including severity of COPD and the presence of other aggravating health conditions, factors related to health care providers and quality of care, as well as outpatient follow-up and availability of subspecialty referrals. These early readmissions result in overuse of health care resources and impose a heavy financial burden.

COPD patients with coexisting congestive heart failure, lung cancer, anxiety, depression or osteoporosis were associated with a higher likelihood of early readmission. Health care provider and system factors including prescriptions for bronchodilator inhalers, oral corticosteroids, antibiotics at discharge and an early outpatient follow up after discharge were associated with a lower likelihood of readmission.

This study suggests that strategies to reduce hospital readmissions shortly following COPD flare-ups are likely to be more effective when they extend beyond quality of COPD-specific care in the hospital.