Mortality rates of COPD Patients in UK Electronic Health Records (Clinical Practice Research Datalink)

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents an increasing burden throughout the world. Whilst male mortality from COPD has been falling for 30 years, female mortality has risen steadily during the same period and a strong socioeconomic gradient in morbidity and mortality persists. This study aimed to understand whether these trends have continued in a contemporary cohort of patients. Methods: We used primary care data (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) linked with mortality data (Office for National Statistics) and Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD 2015) to calculate all-cause mortality rates by sex and age. Results: We identified 137,709 COPD patients, 45.5% were female (n=24,696), 30% current smokers (n=16,042) and mean age at death was 79 years (SD = 10). The age standardised mortality rate of patients with COPD was 1,503 per 100,000 person years (SD = 1,492 – 1,513). The overall COPD mortality rate was 73% higher than the general population. In 2010, mortality rates were higher among males compared to females (figure). Conclusions: Differences in mortality rates between men and women persist and COPD patient mortality rates are much higher than the general population.