Assessment of CAUDA 70 Score in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Background: Physicians lack a robust and validated method of measuring severity or predicting poor outcome in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). To study the prognosis in COPD patients with acute exacerbation using CAUDA 70 score. Materials and Methods: 104 patients of age more than 40 years with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted department of respiratory medicine, narayana medical college and hospital, Nellore. CAUDA 70: C: Confusion, Acidosis (pH 7mmol/L, MRC Dyspnoea score >4, Albumin 70 years. One point was assigned to each variable present, giving a six point scoring system. The patients were followed up upto discharge and the outcome of the patients was correlated with the score to analyse prognosis. Results: 29(27.8%) patients obtained score upto 2. In these patients, 24 (82.75%) recovered without ventilation, 5 (17.24%) required NIV and no patients required invasive ventilation and there were no deaths in patients with this score. 75(72.2%) patients obtained scores of 3 to 6. In these, 48(64%) patients required NIV, 15(20%) patients required invasive ventilation, 4 (5.3%) patients died and only 8 (10.66%) patients recovered without any ventilation. Conclusions: CAUDA 70 score proved to be an effective scoring system in predicting the prognosis in Acute Exacerbation of COPD patients. Keywords: Acute Exacerbation of COPD; CAUDA 70 score; Mechanical ventilation.